IMAGE  EVALUATION 
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Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  canadien  de  microreproductions  historiques 


„^ 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


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qu'il  lui  a  6td  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
do  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
u'~<i  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
rrvodification  dans  la  mdthode  normale  de  filmage 
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□    Coloured  covers/ 
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□    Covers  damaged/ 
Couverture  endommag^e 

□    Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurde  et/ou  pellicul6e 

rr^  Cover  title  missing/ 

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□    Coloured  Ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


D 
D 
D 


D 


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Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Reli6  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
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mais,  lorsque  cela  6tait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  filmies. 


D 
D 
D 

D 


Coloured  pages/ 
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Pages  damaged/ 
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Qualit6  indgale  de  I'impression 

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Comprend  du  materiel  suppldmentaire 


D 
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Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
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obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


D 


Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppl6mentaires. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film*  au  taux  de  r6duction  indiqu*  ci-dessous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

—^^^— 

30X 

X 

1?X 

16X 

20X 

24X 

28X 

32X 

s 

I 

fier 

le 

go 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

Library  of  Congress 
Photoduplication  Service 

The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
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Library  of  Congress 
Photoduplication  Service 

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conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  wton  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimde  sont  film^s  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comportb  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  film^s  en  commenpant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  teile 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — ^>  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  !a 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  — »-  signifie  "A  SUIVRE  ",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filrrad 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
film6s  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diffdrents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clichd,  il  est  filmd  d  partir 
de  Tangle  sup6rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'Images  ndcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mdthode. 


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1 


'  -■'-•.  r.-i. 


THE 

Mysterious  Stranger ; 

OR 

MEMOIRS  • 

OF 

HENRY  MORE  SMITH ; 

alias  HENRY  FREDERICK  MOON ; 

alias  WILLIAM  NEWMAN : 

tTHO  IS    NOW  CONFINED  IN    SIMSBURY  AIINES,    IN 
CONNECTICUT,  FOR  THE  CRIME  OF  BURGLARY. 

Containing 
An  account  of  his  extraordinary  conduct  during 
his  confinement  in  the  gaol  of  King^s  Coun- 
ty, Province  of  JVerv-BrunswickfTuhere 
he  was  under  sentence  of  death  : 

With  a  statement  of  his  succeeding  conduct,  be  ■ 
fore  and  since  his  confinement  in  Newgate 

By  WALTER  BATES, 
High  Sheriff  of  Kings'  Counly,  New-Brunswick 


y^-<  01" 


b^ 


NEW-HAVEN: 

Published  bi/  Mallbi;,  Goldsmilh  &  Cu. 

T.  G.  Woodwardj  rrinler. 
1817. 


1876. 


^c  Washi* 


itri"^^illii<ir '1' iS'  "'^^'  ^^V*'f"' 


/Hi'.'.tial'i'^' 


1 


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t*ji.i..tsaiiT  ii'»iilia«.  ■jiijkiifc.-.ato.  ■'■■. 


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DISTRICT  OF  COJVJVECT/CCriP*,  «». 
Tit  remembered,  That  on  the  25th  ^ay  of  Janua- 
^E  It  fe%'"77.  '  ft  „ea,  of  the  Independence  of 
"uS  S^Tte'rjAmeric'a,  Thomas  G.  Woodwa^ 
f  .vi  said  District,  hath  deposited  m  this  office  the  title 

j  S  jS2S.  loXemenl  in  the  C^  »r  King.  Connty, 
rr.rinc"T5.»^™»"'k.  where  he  ».•  ^^^'■ 

Slnl.rin"S,  "  An  «cl  for  th.  encoor,E.™ent  «' 

?„g  the  times  therein  m«.bon^d.  ^    ^,^^^^09, 

Clerk  of  the  District  of  Conneclicvt  ■ 


■■•[■trlltrritrniiiiiff^- 


r 

A 

'*•    ' 

V  tng 

,  "^    tke\ 

the 

nit 

the 

cho 
irrc 
Ah 
res 
for 
sid 
thii 
to  I 
to 
bit 
res 
fro 
pu 
frc 
pit 
the 
thi 
JV- 
exi 
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ECTICVf,  «s. 

he  SSIhrlay  of  Janua- 
jf  the  Independence  of 
homasG.  Woodward, 
ed  in  this  office  the  title 
laima  as  proprietor,  in 
he  Mysterious  Stranger, 
h,  aWas  Henry  Freder- 
n,  who  is  now  confined 
jt,  for  the  crime  of  burg- 
his  extraordinanr  con- 
e  Gaol  of  Kings  County, 
hero  he  was  under  sen- 
t  of  his  succeeding  con- 
lement  in  Newgate,  by 
County." 

Congress  of  the  United 
the  encouragement  of 
I  of  maps,  charts,  and 
ietors  of  such  copies,  dur- 
n 

■  W.  EDWARDS, 
District  of  Conntclicvt- 


r 

4 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


^      The  extraordinct  t  ijjo cli  detailed  in  th e  foltott: * 
■&  tng  narrative  have  in'dvct.J  many  persons  te  doubt 
"'    their  authenticity,     lieporls  have  prevailed  that 
the  story  is  made  vp  by   interested  individuals, 
ait/i  a  view  only  to  pecuniary  emolument— -and 
the  credibility  oj  the  aiUhor  has  been  questioned 
by  some  who  are  strangers  to  his  pemon  and  his 
character.     To  remove  every   scruple  on  these 
trrounds,   the  publishers  are  able    to  slate,    thai. 
Mr.  Batks  is  well  known  to  many  of  thi  most 
respectable  persons  in  this  town,    and  in  Stam- 
ford, his  native  place,  where  his  connections  re- 
side— who  saw  him  here  while  the  first  edition  of 
this  work  was  progressing,  and  who  can   testify 
to  his  character  as  a  man  of  probity  and  honour. 
to  his  station  as  an  officer,  and  to  his  respecla- 
bility  as  a  member  of  the  community  in  which  he 
resided.     The  original  manuscript  of  the  work, 
from  the  pen  of  Mr.  B.  is   •»  the  hands   of  the 
publishers,   witr<.   other   documents   and  papers 
from  persons  named  in  the  narrative,  who  stand- 
pledged  with  him  to  substanaate  its  truth— ami 
the  concurring  testimony  o/.S7icri^  Kossiter  oJ 
this  city,  und  Capt.  Washburn,    the   Keeper  of 
Newgate,  affords  the  strongest  evidence  that  wo 
exaggeration  was  necessary  in   delineating  the 
character  and  conduct  of  this  Mysterious  Stran- 
ger— in  short  it  is  believed  that  all  the  facts,  res- 
pecting him,  as  far  as  human  testimony  can  pre- 
vail, are  as  susceptible  of  proof  as  any  fad  what 
ever. 

JVtw-Haven,  Con.  June  1817. 


■i<i)ll!i  ii"'''^'fti'l^'''i'**i'''r  I  'tfri' 


TO  THE  READER. 

HAVING  received  repeated  solicitations  frnm  Port- 
land, Ncw-Vork,  Connerlirnf,  and  other  yurU  of  the 
U.  Slates,  as.nrll  as  Irom  many  p'Tsoti'  in  tlic  I'rovinccs 
orNew-Drnnswuk  and  iVova-Hcotia,  to  pubhsh  the  (acts 
attending  the  conduct  o/'  llmry  Mure.  Smtlh,  while  in 
my  custody,  I  have  compHcd  with  thrin,  and  now  lay 
before  the  public  the  succeedinc;  iVarrativr.  The  fartu 
stated  are  not  conjured  up  from  memory,  having  been 
registered  in  a  journal,  kept  from  day  to  day,  contain- 
ing tlif  most  interesting  particulars  of  his  conduct.  This 
journal  was  commenced  from  necessity  ;  to  enable  the 
Shcritr  and  Gaoler  to  traver.-c  the  indictments  found 
against  them  for  suHering  hira  to  escape  from  prison. 
As  it  proceeded  it  grew  interesting,  and  is  now  trans* 
formed  into  these  memoirs. 

Pro])osal3  were  issued  for  publishing  the  work  at 
Portland,  and  I  left  Kingston  with  the  view  of  having  it 
published  there,  but  a  fortuitous  circumstance  having 
carried  me  to  New-V^ork,  and  having  connections  in 
Connecticut,  of  which  i  am  a  native,  I  concluded,  after 
identifying  William  J\'eivmun  as  the  same  person  I  had 
ih  my  custody  at  Kingston,  to  collect  the  facts  attending 
his  conduct  in  this  part  of  the  country,  and  to  publish 
the  work  here.  This  explanation  will  account  (or  the 
address  of  the  follo'vving  letter  to  the  Editor  of  the  Port- 
land Gazette. 

Since  my  arrival  here,  I  have  been  twice  to  Newgate 
to  sec  him,  and  have  found  to  my  own  satisfaction,  that 
he  is  acting  a  farce  there,  perhaps  not  less  astonishing 
than  his  preceding  conduct ;  by  which  he  has  already 
relieved  himself  from  labour,  and  I  have  no  doubt  still 
contemplates  his  liberation. 

W.  B. 

JVew-IIaven,  Dec.  181C. 


•JtaaiB^dMaaaaaaBBsn 


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his 

proi 

der. 


L^j^v -,..;,, -J.  ■•   .  '- -ii'iiiirrT-'T-v  '  •'    '■"  ■*'"■' 


To  the  Editor  of  t/te  Portland  Gazelle. 

Sir,  ,   , 

1  HAVE  rRceived  your  proposals  for  printing 

memoirs  of  Henry  More  Smith,  alias  .Woon, 
alias  Newman,  now  siipposcd  to  be  in  Newgate 
prison,  in  Connecticut,  requesting  a  correct 
statement  of  bis  character  and  conduct,  wiiile 
in  the  provinces  of  Nova-Scotia  and  New-Bruns- 
wick, to  be  published  under  the  title  of  "  J/*e 
Mysterious  Stranger.''^ 

It  would  be  satisfactory  to  the  public  mind, 
no  doubt,  to  have  the  life  of  such  an  uncommon 
character  traced  back  to  its  ori'^in  ;  his  conduct, 
however,  while  in   these    provinces,   has  been 
such,  that  no  credible  information  can  be   ob- 
tained, who  he  was,  where  he  came  from,  or  by 
what  means  he  came  into  these  provinces.     He 
was  not  known  to  follow  any  particular  profes- 
sion, but  was  said  to  execute  to  perfection  any 
branch   of  mechanism   that   came  to  his  hand. 
He  made  no  enquiries,   but  appeared  to  know 
every  thing,  and  every  place.     He   was  seen  in 
all  parts  of  Nova-Scotia  ;  but  no   one  knew  his 
business.     He  formed  a  connection  by  marriage 
in  a  respectable  family   at    Rawdon,    in  Nova- 
Scotia  ;  but  still  remained  a  stranger.     He  was 
found  to  possess  a  wonderful  command  of  his 
mind,    his  passions,    and  the  natural  powers  of 
his  body,  and  the  art  of  deceiving  to  perfection: 
In  short,  as  far  as  I  have    been  able  to  collect, 
his  whole  conduct  for  about  three  years  in  these 
provinces,   was   a  sct-ne  of  mystery  and  won- 
der. 


i.»teii  WW-"**' J^.**!^^ 


L 


r. 


8 


Tliirlecii  niouths  he  AVjis  in  my  custody  ;  and 
experience  gave  me  some  knowledge  of  his  char- 
acter. I  wish  it  could  have  fallen  to  a  more 
able  pen  to  u-^lineate  his  conduct,  but  as  1  have 
undertaken  the  task,  I  shall  confine  myself 
wholly  to  a  statement  of  facts,  and,  however 
unaccountable  they  may  appear,  /  pledge  my- 
self, and  every  person  named  in  the  Narrative, 
for  the  truth  of  what  is  related  of  him  v^  hile  iu 
my  custody.  Those  facts  derived  bej'ond  my 
own  knowledge  are  from  creditable  souioes,  and 
are  undoubtedly  authentic. 

I  have  learnt  satisfactorily  that  William  JV ere- 
man,  now  confined  in  Newgate,  in  the  State  ol 
Connecticut,  is  the  same  person  who  was  in  my 
custody,  and  I  have  no  doubt  that  these  me- 
moirs will  be  interesting  to  the  American  peo- 
ple. 

1  shall,  therefore,  with  deference  to  the  pub- 
lic, begin  my  statement,  with  my  first  receiving 
him  into  custody,  relating  what  took  place  while 
ia  my  charge,  including  the  information  I  have 
received  from  other  parts  of  the  British  provin- 
ces, and  from  the  United  States,  up  to  the  pres- 
ent time.  Sensible  as  I  am  of  my  own  inabili- 
ty, and  the  imperfect  state  in  which  it  must  ap- 
pear from  my  hands,  I  hope  only  that  no  un- 
worthy motives  .will  be  attributed  to  me,  by  an 
indulgent  j.ublic.  WALTER  BATES, 

kherijf'  of  King's  County,  JVetv- Brunswick. 

KiNosTo      ^ept.  1816. 


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"'STOI 


as  in  my  custody  ;  and 
e  knowlcdgeof  his  char- 
have  fallen  to  a  more 
3  conduct,  but  as  1  have 
[  shall  confine  myself 
if  facts,  and,  however 
appear,  /  pledge  tny- 
lamed  in  the  Narrative, 
related  of  him  v^  hile  iu 
;ts  derived  bej'ond  my 
creditable  sourxs,  and 
;ic. 

)rily  that  William  New- 
ewgate,  in  the  State  ol 
I  person  who  was  in  my 
D  doubt  that  these  me- 
;  to  the  American  peo- 

j  deference  to  the  pub- 

wilh  my  first  receiving 

I  what  took  place  while 

the  information  I  have 

Is  of  the  British  provin- 

J  States,  up  to  the  pres- 

am  of  my  own  inabili- 

itc  in  which  it  must  ap- 

hope  only  that  no  un- 

ittribuled  to  me,  by  an 

WALTER  BATES, 

junty,  JVew- Brunswick. 


MEMOIRS 


or 


HENRY  MORE  SMITH,  alias  MOON, 
alias  WILLIMI  NEWMAN. 


ON  the  second  day  of  August,  1814,  1  was 
called  upon  by   Wills  Frederic  Knox, 
Esq.    resident   in    the  parish  of  Norton,   Kings 
County,  Province  of  New-Brunswick,  son  oi  the 
celebrated  William  Knox,  Esq.    formerly  Un- 
der Secretary  of  State,    and  Agent  for  the  I  ro- 
vince  of  New-Brunswick  and   Prince  Edward 
l«land,  who  requested  me  to  take  into  custody 
and  confine  in  the  gaol  of  the  said  County  ot 
Kings,    a    decent    looking    young  man    by  the 
name  of  Henry  More  Smith,  who  had  been 
apprehended  for  stealing  and  carrying  away  a 
valuable  horse  from  him,    on  the  20th  of  July 
last.     Mr.  Knox  stated  that  he  had  pursued  hira 
to  Pictou,  in  Nova-Scotia,  upwards  of  270  miles, 
where  he  overtook  him,  and  had  recovered  his 
horse,  and  taken  a   watch  and  fifteen  guineas 
from  the  prisoner— that  he  had  found  him  to  be 
a  great  villain,  having  assumed  different  names, 
and 'committed  depredations  in  several  parts  ot 
the  country.    That  he  had  conveyed  him  through 
the  several   counties,  with  the  assistance  ot  the 
sheriffs,  to  take  his  trial  in  the  county  of  Kings 
—that  he   had  allcmpted    several  times  to  es. 
B 


•*. 


-'■•"■'iwito 


.^i^m 


10 

cape  and  would  have  effected  it,  had  it  not  been 
for  Ids  own  vigilance  and  cxt-rtions — and  that, 
unless  he  was  well  taken  care  of,  he  would  yet 
efltct  an  escape.  He  was  tiien  received  into 
prison  on  the  warrant  of  conveyance  'ot  exami- 
nation, without  a  resjular  commitment. 

The  prisoner  came  on  horseback.  It  was 
rainy,  and  nearnight  Having. rode  alld?y,  he 
waf  very  wet ;  and  not  having  a  shift  of  clothes, 
and  the  stove  out  of  order  in  the  criminals'  room 
in  the  prison  ;  I  directed  the  gaoler  to  put  him 
handcutled  into  the  debtors,  and  give  him  fire, 
that  he  might  dry  himself,  or  his  health  would 
be  in  danger.  The  day  following  he  was  re- 
moved into  the  criminals'  room,  which  being 
very  strong,  irons  were  conjsidered  unnecessa- 
ry. As  he  appeared  to  be  very  inoffensive, 
his  handcuffs  were  taken  off,  and  being  provided 
with  a  comfoitable  birth,  with  straw  aiid  blank- 
ets, he  seemed  reconciled  to  his  situation.  He 
wished  for  an  opportunity  to  send  for  bis  port- 
manteau, which  he  said  he  had  left,  with  some 
other  articles,  in  the  care  of  Mr.  Joseph  Stack- 
house,  near  Si.  John,  and  which  contained  his 
clothes.  He  «tated  that  all  his  money  had  been 
taken  from  him,  and  that  Im;  must  sell  his  clothes 
to  purchase  necessaries,  and  procure  a  lawyer, 
as  he  was  a  stranger  in  this  country  and  knew 
nobody,  and  bad  no  friends  to  help  him — ^that 
he  was  young,  only  twenty-two  years  of  age, 
and  had  never  seen  a  rourt,  or  knew  any  thing 
about  the  law — and  had  not  been  in  America 
aaore  than  one  year  and  a  half — that  he  came 


froii 
was 
er  \ 
thci 
had 
er  1 
I 
tha 
wh 
me 
tha 
car 
nel 
wo 
wo 

hoi 
hir 
the 
as 
inj 
ho 
iel 
ini 
on 
tb' 
otl 
se 
Irj 
to 
ta 
sn 
jn 


.^^ 


uai,.^«ji«i|<*Mti,"r-^,i, 


:ed  it,  had  it  not  bccit 
exertions — and  that, 
arc  of,  he  would  yet 
tiien  received  into 
nveyance    'urexami- 
ommitment. 
horseback.     It  was 
ivijig.rode  alld?y,  he 
ing  a  shift  of  clothes, 
n  the  criminals'  rnoin 
he  gaoler  to  put  him 
s,  and  give  hiui  fire, 
or  his  health  would 
following  lie  was  re- 
room,    which   being 
DH^idtred  unnecessa- 
be  very  inoffensive, 
f,  and  being  provided 
vith  straw  aiid  blank- 
to  his  situation.     He 
to  send  for  bis  port- 
had  left,  with  some 
)f  Mr.  Joseph  Stack- 
which  contained  his 
his  money  had  been 
»  must  sell  his  clothrs 
id  procure  a  lawyer, 
is  country  anil  knew 
Js  to  help  him — ^that 
^-two  years  of  age, 
;,  or  knew  any  thing 
not  been   in  America 
I  half — that  he  came 


-T.-^^ 


11 


from  England  on  account  of  the  war ;  that  he 
was  born  in  Brighton  ;  that  his  father  and  moth- 
er were  now  livin^-;  there,  and  that  he  expected 
them  to  come  out  to  Halifax  next  spring,  as  he 
had  lately  purchased  a  valuable  farai  on  the  riv- 
er  Philip  and  liaJ  wrote  to  them  to  come. 

He  denied  having  stolen  the  horse,  and  stated 
that  he  had  been  to  Saint  John  on  business, 
where  he  saw  Col.  Daniels,  of  the  09th  rrgi- 
ment— who  enquired  of  him  if  he  knew  a  horse 
that  would  span  with  one  that  he  drove  in  his 
carriage — he  said  bethought  he  did — the  Colo- 
nel told  him  if  he  would  bring  him  a  horse  that 
would  span  with  his  within  a  fortnight,  that  he 
would  pay  him  two  hundred  dollars. 

Not  having  money  enough  to    purchase  the 
horse,  he  told  the  Colonel,  if  he  would  advance 
him  fifteen  guineas,  he  would  leave  the  mare  he 
then  rode,  in  pledge,  until  he  brouglit  the  horse  ; 
as  he  knew  there  was  a  vessel    then  ready  go- 
ing from  Saint  John  to  Cumberland,  where  the 
horse  belonged—to  which  proposal  Col.  Dan- 
iels agreed  ;  and  gave  him  the  money.     Leav- 
ing  the  mare,  he  went  to  his    lodgings,    about 
one  mile  out  of  town  ;  but,  before  he  returned 
the  vessel  had  gone  and  left  him,  and  having  no 
other  opnortunity  to  go  by  water  was  obliged  to 
set  out  on  foot ;  and  living  a   long  distance  , to 
travel,  and  short  time  to  perform  it,  was  obliged 
to  travel  all  night,  and  at   day  break  was  over- 
taken by  a  stranger,    with  a  large  horse  and  a 
small  mare,  which  he  offered  for  sale  ;  and  be- 
ing tired  with  walking,  offered  ten  pounds  lor 


-iMfciintfliili  i 


L 


\ 


iyl%U{Ui.dM.>d4Ki>. 


■«<yit» 


12     ^ 

the  mare,  whith  he  accepted— and  they  rode  of. 
together  some  time,  when  lie  began  to  find  that 
the  mare  would  not  answer  his  purpose  ;  that 
he  had  not  money  to  purchase  the  horse  he  was 
going  after — that  he  should  not  be  able  to  sell 
the  mare,  and  would  thus  lose  his  ohject — and 
as  the  horse  was  a  good  looking  one,  which  he 
might  sell  for  the  money  again,  he  bantered  the 
man  for  a  swap,  which  he  agreed  to,  and  ex- 
changed the  horse,  saddle  and  bridle,  for  the 
mare  and  15  pounds  to  boot,  which  he  paid  him, 
and  took  a  receipt  for  the  money,  which  he 
produced,  written  in  the  following  words  : 

"  Received,  July  20tb,  1814,  of  Henry  More 
"  Smith,  fifteen  pounds  in  swap  of  a  horse,  be- 
"  tween  a  small  mare  and  a  large  bay  horse, 
"  that  I  let  him  have,  with  a  star,  six  or  seven 
««  years  old.  James  Churman." 

This  receipt  was  written  and  signed  in  two 
distinct  hand  writings.  He  said  that  he  then 
proceeded  on  his  journey  to  Cumberland,  and 
bargained  for  the  horse,  which  was  the  object 
of  his  pursuit ;  but  not  having  money  enough 
to  pay  for  him,  was  obliged  to  Fell  the  horse 
that  he  rode,  and  hearing  that  Col.  Dixon  of 
Truro  wanted  such  a  horse,  proceeded  there 
in  great  h:'.ste;  and  arriving  at  Truro,  found 
^ol.  Dixon  was  gone  to  Pictou,  forty  miles  far- 
ther, to  attend  court,  which  was  to  sit  at  that 
time  ;  to  which  place  he  proceeded  with  all 
speed.  The  next  day  being  Sunday,  was  obli- 
ged to  stay  until  Monday,  before  he  could  sell 
his  horse  ;  and  was  there  overtaken  by  Mr.  Knox, 


w 
in 

hi 
fr 
tc 
ui 

g' 

ei 

a! 
ff 
h 
d 

Oi 

P 
o 

i( 

h 

h 

tl 

w 

P 
o 
G 

tl 
e 

S( 

n 
fa 
n 
r 

V 


Id 


ted — and  they  rode  of, 

lie  began  to  find  that 
cr  his  purpose  ;  that 
hnse  the  horse  he  was 
Id   not  be  able  to  sell 

lose  his  ohject — and 
Doking  one,  which  he 
igain,  he  bantered  the 
le  agreed  to,  and  ex- 
a  and  bridle,  for  the 
ot,  which  he  paid  him, 
le  monej,  which  he 
following  words : 

1814,Df  Henry  More 
I  swap  of  a  horse,  he- 
ld a  large  bay  horse, 
th  a  star,  six  or  seven 

James  Churman." 
ten  and  signed  in  two 

He  said  that  he  then 
'  to  Cumberland,  and 

which  was  the  object 
aving  money  enough 
iged  to  sell  the  horse 
ig  that  Col.  Dixon  of 
orse,   proceeded  there 

iiig  at  Truro,  found 
Pictou,  forty  miles  fai-- 
tiich  was  to  sit  at  that 
e  proceeded  with  all 
ing  Sunday,  was  obli- 
f,  before  he  could  sell 
vertaken  by  Mr.  Knox, 


who  had  him  apprehended,  charged  with  steal- 
ing his  horse,  and  t.iken  before  the  Court  there 
— and  being  a  stranger  and  no  one  to  speak  for 
him,  they  had  taken  all  his  money  and  his  watch 
from  him  ;  and  sent  him  back  to  King's  County 
to  take  his  trial.  He  complained  of  being  mis- 
used on  the  way  by  Mr.  Knox.  He  shewed 
great  anxiety  about  his  situation,  and  to  make 
enquiry  after  the  man  who  sold  him  the  horse, 
as  he  was  convinced  the  horse  was  stolen.  He 
feared  the  thief  would  be  out  of  the  way  unless 
lie  was  taken  soon  ;  and  then  his  case  must  be 
desperate,  as  he  had  neither  money  nor  friends. 
It  so  happened,  the  day  following,  that  I  had 
occasion  to  go  tc  the  city  of  Saint  John,  in  com- 
pany with  Doctor  Adino  Paddock,  sen.  On 
our  way  we  had  occasion  to  call  at  Mr.  Nathan- 
iel Golden's  tavern,  at  the  French  village  iii 
Hampton  ;  and  when  placing  our  horses  under 
his  shed,  I  saw  a  man  mount  a  horse  in  haste 
that  stood  at  the  steps  of  the  door,  and  ride  a- 
way  toward  Sain.  John  with  great  speed,  ap- 
parently as  if  in  fear  of  being  overtaken — and 
on  enquiry  who  he  was,  we  were  told  by  Mrs. 
Golden,  that  he  was  a  stranger  who  had  called 
there  once  or  twice  before,  and  that  she  believ- 
ed his  name  was  Churman  or  Churnun — I  ob- 
served to  the  Doctor,  that  is  the  name  of  the 
man  that  the  prisoner  Smith  says  sold  him  the 
borse.  Mrs.  Golden  said  she  could  know  if  his 
name  was  Churman  by  enquiring  in  the  other 
room,  which  she  did,  and  answered  in  the  affir- 
mative.    We  then  made  enquiries  on  the  road 

fig 


J^ 


14 

as  we  travelled  toward  Saint  John  ;  but  heard 
notliing  more  of  the  stranger  by  that  name  ever 
afterward. 

After  my  return  from  Saint  John,  I  intormcd 
the  prisoner,  Smith,  of  tlie  circumstance— he 
appeared  extremely  elated  with  the  idea  of  hav- 
ing him  taken,  and  said  if  he  had  money  or 
friends,  he  could  have  him  taken  and  brought 
to  justice  ;  and  then  be  set  at  liberty— but  if 
he'made  his  escape  out  of  the  country,  his  own 
case  must  be  miserable.  He  wished  to  apply 
to  a  lawyer  for  advice,  and  was  ad.isid  to  em- 
ploy Charlks  J.  Peters,  Esq.  Attorney  at  St. 
John,  and  was  assured  if  there  was  any^  way  to 
get  hiui  clear,  that  he  would  do  it  for  him  faith- 
fully. 

The  first  opportunity  that  offered,  he  wrote 
an  order  to  Mr.  Joseph  Stackhouse  at  St.  John, 
where  he  had  lodged,  for  his  portmanteau,  and 
some  articles  left  for  sale,  and  if  sold,  to  apply 
the  money  as  a  retainer  to  Mr.  Peters,    his  at- 
torney.    The   return  brought  a   genteel    port- 
manteau and  a  pair  of  boots,  leaving  a  small 
consideration  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Peters,  as  a 
retainer,  upon  condition  of  his  making  up  the 
remainder  to   the  amout  of  five   guineas  before 
Couil;  with  which  he  appeared  perfectly  sat- 
isfied, and  said  M  must  sell  his  clothes  and  oth- 
er things  out  of  his  portmanteau,  that  he  could 
spare,  and  make  the  money.     He  gave  me  his 
key,  with  which  I  opened  his  portmanteau,  and 
found  it  well  filled  with  clothes.     It  contained 
two  or  tliree  genteel  coats,  with  vests  and  panta- 


looi 

coa 

all 

poc 

lee 

bod 

sp) 

fyi 

oth 

cie 

be^ 

sil 


an 
pe 

wl 

e) 
sa 
fo 
w 

Ci 

tl 

t: 

a 

g 
b 


'>yrcWw»i«  M 


.li$am  nidrtiHtit^u  §tm  i 


it  John  ;  but  heard 
■  by  that  name  ever 

[it  John,  1  informed 
E  circumstance — he 
with  the  ideaof  hav- 
f  he  had  money  or 
I  taken  and  brought 
t  at  liberty — but  it 
the  country,  his  own 
He  wished  to  apply 

I  was  atlisid  to  em- 
Esq.  Attorney  at  St. 
lere  was  any  way  to 
d  do  it  for  him  faith- 

liat  offered,  he  wrote 
[:khouse  at  St.  John, 
lis  portmanteau,  and 
and  if  sold,  to  apply 
)  Mr.  Peters,  his  al- 
ight a  genteel  port- 
ots,  leaving  a  small 
s  of  Mr.  Peters,  as  a 
f  his  making  up  the 
f  five  guineas  before 
pearcd  perfectly  sat- 

II  bis  clothes  and  oth- 
inteau,  that  he  could 
ey.     He  gave  me  his 

bis  portmanteau,  and 

slothes.     It  contained 

with  vests  and  panta- 


15       . 

loons,  silk  stockings  and  g.ovcs,  a  s'JP'^'-f'^^.r " 
coat  faced  with    black  silk,   and  other  articles, 
aUo   the  best  cloth  and  latest  fashion  ;  a  neat 
pocket  bible  and  prayer  book,  l^-^«»  ^-^  ; 
leer  Ready  lUckonor,  and  some  other  valuable 
bo6ks  fo   a  Uavcller-be  had  also  a  night  and  day 
spy  §  ass  of  the  best  kind,   and  a  sma  1  magn  - 
fyL  glass  in  a  turtle   shell   case,   and   .cveral 
o^hef  ieful  articles,  without  any    th.ng  -  P- 
cious,  which  induced  us  to  thmk,  at  least,  he  had 
been  fitted  out  by  careful  parents,  and  was  pos- 
sibly  innocrnl  of  the  charge. 

He  soon  commenced  selling  his  clothes.  &c. 
and  any  person  who  wished  to  speak  to  him,  was 
Tern  i"fed  t>  come  to  the  wicket  door,  through 
vhkl   he  disposed  of  his  articles,  to  raise  mon- 
ey to  retain  his  lawyer  and  to  purchase  neces- 
saries ;  and  many  purchased  out  of  compassion 
;'h[s'situatio„.\mong  other,,  a  young  man 
who  said  he   knew   him  while  at  Saint  John, 
came  once  or  twice  to  visit  him  ;  and  some  of 
tL  glass  being  broken,  he  found  it  conven.eut  to 
Kth  him'through  Ihe  grates  at  fbe  window  ; 
and  the  last  lime  took  away  the  night  and  day 
Xss   as  he  said,  for  a  debt  he  was  owing  him ,  - 
&1  sus  eel  left  an  old  watch  in  exchange 
The  prisoner  had  complained  of  a  bad  cough, 

and  pain  from  the  ill  »«»g'L"'^'^'^ '^\tf  to  Vm' 
.eived  from  Mr.  Knox.  He  appeared  to  em- 
;;  bin  self  in  reading  his  Wbje.aud  behaved 
hiniself  with  great  decency  and  propriety. 

have  obfained  from  Mr.  Knox  for  he  pur- 
pose of  these  memoirs,  the  follQW.ng  letter,  giv 


I 


Ktu. 


lilflSh- 


16 

ing  an  account  of  the  pursuit  and  apprehension 
^  9!"  the  prisoner : 

J^ortoH,  King''s  County,  J^eie-Brunmick, 
October  Wh,  1016. 
DSAn  Sir, 

i  received  your  letter  yesterday,  and  shall  willingly 
give  you  what  information  I  have  respecting  Henry  More 
Smith,  from  my  pursuit  and  apprehension  of  him  at  Pic- 
tou,  in  Nova-Scotia,  to  the  delivery  of  him  into  your 
custody. 

On  the  afternoon  of  tlie  20th  of  July,  1814,  I  missed  a 
very  fine  horse  out  of  my  pasture,  and  from  every  cir- 
cumstance had  reason  to  think  he  had  been  stolen  the 
night  before ;  I  therefore  immediately  went  in  pursuit  of 
him,  alone,  on  the  Westmoreland  road — I  was  quite  a 
stranger  that  way,  but  finding  that  a  man  had  gone  that 
road  oQ  a  horse  answering  exactly  the  description  of 
mine,  with  a  good  saddle  and  bridle,  I  travelled  all  night. 
The  thief  having  so  much  tlie  start,  with  so  good  a  horse, 
I  did  not  gain  much  of  him,  but,  procuring  fresh  horses, 
kept  up  the  pursuit. 

I  soon  discovered  the  man  who  had  my  horse  to  be  a 
most  artful  character— travelling  day  and  night  without 
rest,  and  not  stopping  more  than  an  hour  at  any  of  the 
taverns,  where  he  always  behaved  in  the  most  iinperiou* 
munner,  seldom  finding  any  thing  good  enough  for  him- 
self—always taking  great  care  of  the  horse,  and  feeding 
hira  well— but  not  paying  for  what  he  got,  promising  to 
be  back  in  a  fortnight,  and  showing  some  doubloons  which 
ciiher  he  did  not  wish,  or  they  were  unable  to  exchange. 

I  believed  he  had  accomplices,  and  detained  oqe  per- 
son whom  I  8usj)ect,ed. 

I  sat  out  totally  uitprepared  for  a  long  journey,  and 
soon  found  that  it  would  cost  me  more  than  (he  value  of 
my  horse,  to  obtain  him,  as  he  would  probably  be  much 
hjured  by  forcina;  through  so  extraordinary  a  journey, 
but  as  this  was  the  first  instance  of  horse-stealing  I  had 
heard  ol  in  this  country,  where  our  property  is  so  much 
exposed,  I  deemed  it  my  duty  to  do  my  utmost  to  ap- 
prehend the  thief,  to  prevent  fike  depredations  in  future. 


.J&. 


< 

He 

hor 

sell 

knc 

the 

dir 

elu 

we 

he 

Do 

hin 

wh 

in 

bri 

bl8 
tat 
an 
er 
be 
<h< 
an 
H 

by 

ha 
er 
ce 
wl 
he 
m 
Vi 
th 
til 
h( 
re 

ol 
tt 


luit  and  apprehension 

Ooiinli/,  Xeu-Brunawiek, 
lober  16M,  1016. 

irdaj,  and  shall  willingly 
re  respecting  Henry  More 
prehension  of  him  at  Pic- 
lelivery  of  him  into  your 

of  July,  1814,  I  missed  a 
jre,  and  from  every  cir- 
hc  liad  been  stolen  tlip 
liately  went  in  pursuit  of 
arid  road — 1  was  quite  a 
Lhat  a  man  had  gone  that 
actly  the  description  of 
idle,  I  travelled  all  night, 
art,  with  so  good  a  horse, 
,  procuring  fresh  horses, 

lO  had  my  horse  to  be  a 
g  day  and  night  without 
n  an  hour  at  any  of  the 
ed  in  the  most  iinperiout 
ig  good  enough  for  him- 
of  the  horse,  and  feeding 
lat  he  got,  promising  to 
ng  some  doubloons  which 
ere  unable  to  exchange. 
8,  and  detained  oqe  per> 

for  a  long  journey,  and 
e  more  than  the  value  of 
trould  probably  be  much 
ixtraordinary  a  journey, 
1  of  horse-steahng  I  had 
our  property  is  so  much 
o  do  my  utmost  to  ap- 
e  depredations  in  future. 


eaS^d 


■ujumininjjpniiijuii 


17 

On  arrivine  at  Amherst,  about  150  miles  from  home, 
I  learnt  lhat  he  had  told  a  gentleman  who  ndmir    '  the 
horse,  thnt  he  was  taking  him  to  Halifax,  where  lu  .:ould 
sell  him  for  SOS.     Further  on,   he   appeared  anxious  to 
knov  when  tlie  tide  would  be  out  to  enable  him  to  cross 
the  head  of  the  Bay  of  Fundy  for   Newport,   a  different 
direction.     I  also  found  he  was  exerting  his  ingenuity  to 
elude  a  pursuit  by  changing  his  name,  and  l.e  senerally 
went  a  different  direction  from  what  he  professed  where 
he  stopped.     He  called  his  name  Mtad,  Coppigale,  M  - 
Dmiall  and  Hmry  Moon.    !  met  with  a  man  who  saw 
him  on  the  road,   who  knew  him  in  Nova-hcotiii,  and 
who  informed  me.  he  had  committed  several  depredations 
in  his  neighborhood,   but  had  baffled  U.eiv  exertions  to  i 
brinir  him  to  justice.  ,    ,i 

Just  bef.ire  my  horse  was  stolen  I  had  him  shod  by  a 
blacksmith  from  the  U.  States,  who,  by  my  direction, 
made  the  heel  of  the  thoes  much  broader  than  common, 
and  I  thought  by  this  1  should  be  able  to  discover  wheth- 
er he  had  crossed  the   Bay.     I  theref.re  examintd  Uie 
beach,  but  could  not  observe  the  track  of  niy  horse.     I 
therefore  c!ontinued  on  the  road  to  Truro,  a  very  neat 
and  pleasant  village,  where  the  roads  cross,  leadmg  to 
Halifax,  I'ictou,  &c.     He  did  not  stop  here,  but  went 
by  in  the  night,  taking  a  piece  of  India  cotton,  wlucb 
had  been  hunc  out  to  dry,  which  was  afterwards  recov- 
ered.    I  pursued  on  the  road  to  Halifax,  and  had  pro- 
ceeded but  a  few  miles  when  I  was  overtaken  by  a  boy 
who  had  come  from  I'ictou,  and  met  a  man  dnying  a 
horse,  both  answering  the  description  1  had  leit  l)i  iind 
me.     I  returned  to  Truro,  where  I  employed  Mr.  John 
rear^on,  of  i'ictou,  who  happened  to  be  there,  to  pursue 
the  thief,   who  arrived  at   I'ictou,  40  miles  distant,  on 
the  24th,  wh»re  he  apprehended  him  the  day  after,  as 
he  was  bargaining  to  sell  the  horse,  for  which  he  was  to 
receive  401.  and  had  him  committed  to  prison. 

It  appeared  he  arrived  at  Fictou  on  tiie  23d,  a  distance 
of  270  miles  from  where  he  took  the  horse,  m  .ittle  bet- 
ter than  three  days.  .....         u 

I  proceeded  to  Pictou,  and  when  I  arrived  there  he 


.i,wiMijHi<«wv..'sa  r-irt , 


16 


could  h-.uSly  l)elicve  the  owner  of  the  horse  was  ^o  (juji'li 
after  him.  He  ilbclarcil  his  iiiiincince — mtiii  hi-  had  piir- 
chawtl  thu' horse,  hut  p;ave  tlie  fjuoUr  14  guincin  to  oiler 
iiic  I'lir  my  truuhle  if  I  vvouhl  take  the  horte  und  let  him 
^'o.  He  i-cTtainlv  fed  the  hornu  well,  and  I  did  not  tirid 
him  much  i'ljiirc^d — Thnse  wlio  accomftanied  mo  observ- 
ed that  he  a|ipr»red  to  know  my  voice  imuiediulely. 

The  mun  was  exumined,  and  ordered  to  be  coiuhjuled 
to  New-IJriincHiek  for  his  trial.  He  now  culled  hiuivelf 
Henry  Mure  Smith.,  by  which  uuriic  I  shall  1;  rcu' tor  call 
hira.  He  vim  (hen  n^inanded  to  prison  aud  put  in  ir'iiis, 
when  our  prtiparaiioim  beiiii;  mude,  we  sut  out  on  our  re- 
turn. Smith  WHS  put  on  horseback.  We  had  not  pro- 
ceeded far  when  we  discovered  his  Imndcutfs  to  be  nearly 
cut  in  two,  and  thu  crevice  filKd  v.ith  bJack  wax. 

I  found  it  necessary  to  exert  all  my  vi^tance  to  keep 
liim,  us  he  induced  many  people  to  think  he  was  an  in- 
nocent man.  He  frecjuently  pretended  to  be  sick  and 
unable  to  ride,  hut  when  hu  found  I  was  determined  to 
convey  hira  back,  if  in  a  cart,  he  would  go  on  horseback. 
He  made  one  attempt  to  escape,  i\  hen  within  about  ten 
mik's  of  Dorcliei^ter.  In  the  dusk  of  the  evening:,  as  w« 
were  leaving  a  tavern  where  we  had  stopped  to  refresh, 
Smith  was  put  on  a  smart  hor?*?,  which  had  been  lent 
mc  to  pursue  him,  and  thesheriir  who  had  him  in  charge 
had  occasion  to  8te|>  into  the  house  for  a  nii>meut,  when, 
I  suppose,  he  thought  my  horse  too  fatigued  to  overtake 
hira,  he  started  off  on  a  full  irallop  till  he  arrived  at  a 
thicket,  when?  he  threw  himself  off,  and  had  nearly  tuc- 
i;eedcd  io  getting  away — I,  however,  came  up  « ith  him, 
and  the  sherifl  was  with  us  in  an  instant.  He  had  pre- 
viously used  every  persuasion  to  induce  mo  to  release 
him,  hut  I  had  already  found  hfm  too  dan^'erous  a  cha- 
rac  ter  to  be  let  loose  upon  society. 

We  pursued  our  journey  without  any  material  occur- 
rence UHtil  I  placed  him  in  your  custody. 

On  getting  home.  I  found  tliat  the  saddle  and  bridle 
which  were  taken  with  the  horse  at  Pictou,  and  which 
I  brought  with  n»«;,  were  advertised  as  stolen  from  the 
stable*  of  Major  Kinj,  of  the  99th  Rejiiucnt,  then  at  St. 


.lohn 
bacl( 

Iha> 
Scot 
ney. 


0 
froii 
(Jire 
two 

Aft€ 

nati 
tela 
a  re: 
coui 
1IE^ 
|iati< 
swe 
askc 
repl 
my  i 
oil,  i 
ken 
:iiid 
iviift 
'1 
nr.Ei 
scvo 
All  i 
of  It 


TTTvmr 


if  the  liorse  was  ^o  (jukk 
ictnce — muii  he  iiad  pur- 
uoUt  14  guinea-,  lo  oilier 
u  the  hi)r*e  und  let  him 

weli,  and  I  did  not  find 
iccomftanied  mo  obscrv- 

vuice  imuiedialely. 
orilered  to  bi-  i.omliji.leil 
He  now  culk-d  liiutvoU' 
liriiu  I  shall  1:  reu' tor  call 
)  |)ri!<oii  aiid  i>ut  in  ironi, 
lie,  we  »hl  out  on  our  re- 
ack.  We  had  not  pro- 
is  Imndculfs  to  be  acarlj 
!  with  bidck  wax. 
li  my  vi^laoce  to  keep 
s  to  think  he  was  an  in- 
stcnded  to  be  tick  and 
id  I  was  detenuiiied  to 
:  would  go  on  horfihack. 
,  tviicn  within  about  teu 
>k  of  the  evening;,  as  wa 

'lad  Slopped  to  rffrcsli, 
',  which  had  bee.n  lent 
ir  who  had  him  in  charge 
jse  for  a  nii>mL'Ut,  when, 
too  fatigued  to  overtake 
Hop  till  he  arrived  at  a 
ofl',  and  had  nearly  tuc- 
evcr,  came  up  « itli  him, 
n  intitunt.  lie  hctil  pre- 
0  induce  ino  to  rekase 
^iii  too  dan^'erous  a  cha- 

<y- 

tout  any  material  occur- 

custoriy. 

,t  the   EEiddlo  and  bridle 

se  at  Pictou,  and  which 

iscd  as  istolcn  from  the 

Ih  KegiiQcnt,  then  at  St. 


"^'-''t'-ii'^fy"'''-- 


19 

John,  and  it  appeared  Smith  had  brought  thrm  on  iii.t 
back  Hi  miles  for  the  purpose  of  takinc;  my  horse. 

?mith  np|)earrd  to  be  a  man  of  uood  education,  and 
I  have  learnt  mnrriod  into  a  res|)rctable  furoilv  in  Nova- 
Scotia.  I  hare  mm  eiven  you  nn  accotint  ol  my  jotfr- 
ney,  and  remain 

Yo»r  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

WILLS  FllKDLIUCK  KNOX. 

WALTKn  B'VTKS,   F.sq. 

On  the  13tli  of  Aui^ii.st  I  received  a  letter 
fioin  Mr.  Chipman,  Cleik  of  the  Circuit  Court, 
directing  that  the  prisoiur  be  exaniined  before 
two  maijislrates,  and  regularly  committed. — 
After  proper  notice.  Judge  I'tcKETT.Mr.  Justice 
Kktchi'm,  and  Mr.  Knox,  attended  his  e.vanii- 
natioii,  and  the  facts  found  were  to  the  effect  a» 
related  in  the  letter  of  Mr,  Knox,  upon  which 
a  rngul.'ir  coniinifmcnt  was  made  out.  In  the 
course  of  his  examination  he  said  his  name  was 
IIen'hv  Mork  Smith — Being  asked  what  occu- 
pation he  had  followed  in  tiiis  country  ?  he  an- 
swered, No  one  iif^articuiar.  ftlr.  Knox  hastily 
asked  him  how  he  had  got  his  living  then  ?  He 
replied,  with  great  firmness  and  composure,  By 
my  honesty,  Sir,  Me  was  then-Feti;rned  to  pris- 
on, and  showed  no  anxiety  about  what  had  ta- 
ken place.  He  complained  of  pain  in  [m  side, 
and  ajjpeared  to  cough  very  hollow,  but  suh- 
iiiiftcd  to  his  confinement  witlioul  a  murmur. 

The  prison  was  kept  by  Mr.  Walter  Dfb- 
KTEE,  #>nian  of  iearning  and  t.ilents,  who  for 
several  years  had  been  afflicted  with  that  [)ain- 
ful  infirmity  the  gravel,  so  that  fur  the  most  part 
of  his  time   he  uas  confined  to   the  liouso,  and 


1 


J 

I* 

ii 


-^^mtaaUM 


»JiMU«u>«ito«HiJi)M»>«MiyMMHi 


20. 

frequently  to  his  room   m  the    County-House. 
Tere  h/taught  a  school,  which,  togetj-  -^^ 
the  fees  and  peniuisites  of  the  gaol  and  Court- 
Housc.  afforded  a  decent  and  comfortable  living 
for  his  small  family,  which  consisted  of  h.s  w.  e, 
a  daughter,  and  a  son  about  nineteen  years  old. 
named   John  Dibblee,  who  constantly   assisted 
his  father.     Under  these    circumstances    I  baU 
hut  seldom  occasion  to  visit  the  prison,  and,  as 
I  lived  at  the  distance  of  half  a  mile,    did  not 
visit  it  oftener  thanoi.ce  a  week,  except  on  spe- 
cial occasions.     1  am  therefore  indebted  to  Mr 
Dibblee  for    some   of  the  particulars  related  in 
the  subsequent  narration. 

Shortly  alter  his  commitment,   bmitti  was  vi- 
sited by  Lieut.  A.  Baxter,  an  officer  of  the  New- 
Brunswick  Fencibles,  then  recruiting  at  Kin|s- 
toH,  who  proposed  to  him  to  enlist.     He  spufn- 
Pd  the  idea  of  heini;  penr.itted   to  enlist  to  gel 
out  of  prison-He  was,  how«wr   prevailed  up- 
on to  write  to  hi.  attorney  upfn  the  subject,  and 
received  for  answer,  in  very  short  words,  that 
it  was  inadmissible,  and  he  advised  him  to  con- 
tent himself  and  wait  the  issue  of  his    rial.     He 
appeared  much  dissatisfied  with  the  shortness  of 
his  answor.   and  said  he  did  not  know   what  it 
meant  ;  that  the  attorney  appeared  very  angry, 
and  that  he  could  not  have  much  to  expect  from 
such  a  man.     He  was  advised  to  rely  v*ith  con- 
fidence on  Mr.  Peters,  and  assured  il  a!^  thing 
could  be  done  in  his  favour  it  would  not  be  neg- 
lected.    He  never  after  enquired  for  Lis  atlor- 


% 


ney 

(he 
I 
had 
larl 
his 
gro 
he 
waf 
to  r 
the 
ver 
he 
it  s 
que 
ed 
rd 
pla 
I'ir 
(ur 
coP 
tie 
ed 
de* 

am 

ing 

in 

«e.< 

fal 

his 

me 

till 


th 


Hiiwiiiiliiffr'^ ''■'-■ 


-4 


ii. 


tho  County-House, 
which,  together  with 
f  the  gaol  and  Court- 
,nd  comfortable  living 
1  consisted  of  bis  wife, 
lit  nineteen  yeara  old, 

0  constantly   assisted 
circumstances   i  had 

sit  the  prison,  and,  as 
half  a  mile,    did  not 

1  week,  except  on  spe- 
refore  indebted  to  Mr. 
!  particulars  related  in 

itmcnt,   Smith  was  vi- 
,anofticerofthe  New- 
Mi  recruiting  at  Kinjjs- 
to  enlist.     He  spum- 
ir.itted   to  enlist  to  gel 
lowejier,  prevailed  up- 
y  upon  tin:  subject,  and 
lery  short  words,  that 
he  advised  him  tocon- 
j  issue  of  his  trial.     He 
cd  with  the  shortness  of 
I  did  not  know   what  it 
y  appeared  very  angry, 
vc  much  to  expect  from 
Ivised  to  rely  v^ithcon- 
lul  assured  if  alfy  thing 
our  it  would  not  be  neg- 
•  encjuired  for  his  attor- 


ei 

noy,  but  Ik  gan  to  put  himself  (o  a  trial  to  which 
Ihc  procrs^  of  law  can  show  no  |iar.ii%'l. 

lie  continued  to  comp!  liii  of  the  ill  ii'^ii'^e  he 
had  received  on  the  roiid  when  taken,  partini- 
lariyof  a  blow  from  Mr.  Knox  with  a  pistol  in 
liis  side,  (as  he  said)  which  felled  him  to  tlir 
ground  like  a  dead  man — that  whiii  be  came  to, 
he  raised  blood,  and  it  was  some  time  before  he 
was  able  to  brrathe  rLj;iilar — that  he  continued 
to  raise  blood  two  or  tlirte  days  on  the  road,  and 
the  pain  had  never  left  bim,  but  now  increased 
very  fast,  owing  to  the  cold  he  had  taken — that 
he  believed  it  was  gathering  on  the  iiiiide  ;  that 
it  svrelled  and  was  very  painful  ;  and  he  fre- 
quently raised  blood  when  roughing.  He  show- 
ed the  bruised  place  in  his  side,  which  appear- 
ed black,  swcllcil  and  ^orc,  verifying  his  com- 
plaints. This  was  about  (lie  7tb  September.— 
Finding  him  so  ill,  wr  repaired  the  stove  pipes, 
jupplied  him  with  fuel,  and  made  the  room 
comfortable.  He  appeared  to  complain  as  lit- 
tle as  possible,  but  lost  his  appetile,  ami  requir- 
ed light  food.  His  health  ■^ecinrd  gradually  to 
dL>*iiy,  and  his  complaints  ro:;u!arly  to  increase 
— Pain  in  his  head  and  eyes,  will)  dizziness, 
and  sickness  at  the  slomach  ;  puking  and  rais- 
ing blood,  with  great  romplaints  of  the  soreness 
in  his  side,  and  consetpient  debility  and  weak- 
^e»!i.  On  the  11th  Sept.  found  him  gradually 
falling  away — Sent  for  a  Doctor,  who  examined 
his  side  and  other  complaints,"  and  gave  him 
medicine. — The  12th  he  appeared  to  be  some- 
thing better — 13th,   at   evening,   grew   worsd, 


*: 


n-iiirijinWi'JiMfe* 


"^'  i^y 


K    ;, 


I* 


m 


^2 


pains' increased — 14tb,  unable  io  walk,  very 
high  fever— 15(h,  puking  and  raising  blood — 
lUth,  tlie  Kev.  Mr.  Scovil  visited  the  prisoner  in 
the  morning  ;  Ibuud  him  very  ill ;  sent  him  toast 
and  nine,  and  other  things  for  his  comfort — At 
3  P.  M.  the  Doctor  attended  and  gave  him  me- 
dicine— At  6  o'clock  mucli  the  same  ;  unable  to 
help  himself— could  eat  nothing — puked  up  ct-' 
ery  thing  he  took. — 18th,  the  piisonur  appear- 
ed still  to  grow  worse — Judge  Pickett,  with  se- 
veral other  neighbours,  visited  him  ;  asked  him 
if  he  wanted  any  thing  that  he  could  take  ;  he 
said,  nothing,  unless  it  was  an  orange  or  a  lemon. 
—  19th,  appeared  sensibly  to  decline  and  very 
lou — At  "-Z  o'clock  the  Doctor  attended  him  ;  said 
the  man  must  be  removed  out  of  that  room;  that 
he  was  too  ill  to  be  kept  there,  and  that  it  was 
of  iiouse  to  ^;ive  him  medicine  in  that  place. — 
20th,  in  the  mon-.ing,  found  him  no  better — At 
10  o'clock  Mr.  Thaddcus  Scribner  and  ot]j^rs 
went  ii)  to  see  the  prisoner  ;  examined  the  room 
and  found  no  dampness — 4  o'clock,  the  Uc». 
Mr.  Scovil  attended  him  as  a  clergymnn — Sfliith 
told  him  he  had  no  hope  that  he  should  ev„rTe- 
covcr  ;  that  he  was  l)orn  in  England  ;  that  his 
parents  were  formerly  of  the  persuasion  of  the 
Church  of  Engjand,  but  latterly  had  joined  the 
Methodists  ;  that  he  came  away  on  account  ot 
the  war,  and  expected  his  father  ariu  mothie* 
out. — 21st,  tlie  Kev.  Mr.  Scovil  and  other  ot* 
the  neighbors  visited  him — found  him  no  better, 
but  evidently  falling  aw  »  ,  and  no  hopes  of  hi" 
recovery. — 2'2d,  the  piiboucr  very  low,  and  \m 


..A, 


.*J^ 


23 


22        '\     * 

,  unable  lo  walk,  very 
cing  and  raising  blood — 
)vil  visited  the  prisoner  in 
ni  very  ill ;  st-nt  him  toast 
tings  for  his  comfort — At 
Itmled  and  gave  him  me- 
nucli  the  same  ;  unable  to 
at  nothing — puked  up  ev-' 
3th,  the  piisonur  appear- 
— Judge  Pickett,  with  sc- 
,  visited  him  ;  asked  him 
J  that  he  could  take  ;  he 
was  an  orange  or  a  lemon. 
sil)lj^  to  decline  and  very 
Doctor  attended  him  ;  said 
)ved  out  of  that  room;  that 
ept  there,  and  that  it  wps 
Diedicine  in  that  place. — 

found  him  no  better — At 
Icus  Scribiier  and  ot|^rs 
jner  ;  examined  the  room 
ss — 4  o'clock,  the  Uc». 
m  as  a  clergymnn — Saiith 
pe  that  he  should  ev„rTe- 
orn  in  England  ;  that  his 
'  of  the  persuasion  of  the 
tut  latterly  had  joined  the 
came  away  on  account  ol 
[1  his    father   ariu    mothSe* 

Mr.  Scovil  and  other  of 
liin — found  him  no  b«;tlcT, 
iw  '  ,  and  no  hopes  of  hi* 
Jiisoi'.cr  very  low,  and  hi-» 


complaints  of  the  most  fatal  nitnrc  ;  violent  tc- 
ver,  accompanioJ  with  agues  and  chilis ;  his  feet 
and  legs  cold  at  turnj  ;  great  pain,  with  inflam- 
mation in  his  bowels  ;  nothing  but  Ijlood  had 
eome  from  him  for  two  dajs  ;  his  weakness  in- 
creasing, was  not  able  to  help  himself  up  or 
down,  and  had  but  Just  strength  cnou!;h  to  speak. 
above  his  breath — he  feared  he  should  die  for 
want  of  medicsl  assistance,  as  the  Doctor  had 
refused  to  attend  him  any  more  in  that  place — 
He  had,  from  his  decency  and  tlie  inoffensive 
simplicity  of  his  manners,  excited  the  compas- 
sion of  ail  who  visited  him — At  C  o'clock  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Sc  >vil  and  a  largr  niJiiiijerofthe  neigh- 
bours came  in,  and  staid  until  iO  ,  thr .  did  not 
think  he  would  live  till  morning. — Friday,  Sept. 
23,  went  early  to  the  gaol — found  the  prisoner 
lying  naked  on  liie  floor,  and  in  great  distress — 
had  fallen  through  pain  and  dizziness  (asiie  said) 
and  could  not  get  himself  up — was  lifted  into 
his  bed  almost  expired — he  continued  to  de- 
cline ;  could  take  no  nourishment  ;  and  could 
speak  with  diflicully  only  to  be  heard,  until  5 
o'clock  P.  M.  when  he  was  supposed  to  be  dy- 
ing— all  signs  of  life  were  gone  long  enough  to 
go  to  another  room  for  a  bottle  of  hartshorn, 
with  which  he  seemed  to  revive — Called  in  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Scovil,  Mr.  Perkins,  and  Mr.  (i.  Ray- 
mond, neir  neighbours,  and  Mr.yEddy,  from  St. 
John,  who  happened  to  be  ther:»,  and  all  sup- 
posed him  dying  ;  he,  however,  revived,  and 
recovered  his  sensos — He  was  told  that  he  had 
had  a  fit — He  said  he  was  sensible  of  it ;  that  it 


I^« 


24 

was  a  laniily  infiimity  ;  (bat  most  of  his  con- 
neciioiis  had  died  in  that  way,  and  Uial  he  could 
not  survive  another,  which  would  probably  come 
upon  him  about  the  same  time  next  day  ;  that 
he  should  not  recover,  but  God  would  have  him  ; 
and  asked  Mr.  Scovil  to  go  to  prayer,  which  he 
did,  and  prayer  was  attended  with  solemnity 
by  all  present. 

He  had  had  no  regular  watchers,  but  it  was 
thought  highly  improper  to  leave  him  alone  this 
night,  and  John  Dibblee  and  Charles  Chambeau 
were  appointed  by  the  sheriff  to  watch  with 
liim  ;  and  the  following  letter  was  written  by 
the  sheriff,  and  dispatched  by  Mr.  Raymond, 
to  Mr.  Peters,  the  prisoner's  attorney  : 

"  Df.ar  Sir, — I  fear  we  slmll  be  disappointed  in  our 
expectation  oC  (he  trial  ni' the  prisoner,  Mork  Smith, 
at  the  approaching  tourt,  as  1  presuiuo  he  will  be  remo- 
ved by  (l(>ath  before  that  time,  lie  is  dying  in  conse- 
quenci!  oCa  blow  that  he  received  (as  he  says)  Crnm  Mr. 
Knox,  with  a  pistol,  which  he  has  rcsiularly  complained 
oi' since  lie  ha»  been  in  gad,  anil  is  now  thought  past  re- 
covery. As  it  will  be  a  matter  of  inquiry,  and  new  to 
rrie,  will  thank  you  to  let  me  know  by  the  bearer  what 
will  1)6  the  necessary  steps  for  me  to  take — and  not  fail, 
as  i  have  but  little  hopes  of  his  continuing  until  mornin?. 
Yours,  kc.  W.  HATES." 

The  return  of  the  bearer  bhought  the  follow- 
ing answer : 

"SAt.\T  JoHW,  Sept.  ei. 
"Dear  Pii;. — Vour  favour  of  yesterday  I  received 
this  inoriiinir,  a/id  am  snvrj  tfi  hear  so  dt  spondiiig  an  ac- 
count of  the  unfortunate  man  in  your  custody.  !t  will 
be  your  duty,  I  <:onceive,  immediately  to  have  a  Coro- 
ner's imiuest  on  the  body,  aiid  llien  cause  it  to  be  decently 
interred.     With  respect  lo  tl.u  churjc  of  the  cause  of  tli'o 


'* 


--■ii»aife».«^.i.^«  ■ 


■  M  W        ''■ 


r 

t 

,-* 

;  that  most  of  his  con- 
»vay,  and  Uial  he  could 
ch  would  probably  come 
ie  time  next  day  ;  that 
ut  God  would  have  hirn  ; 
go  lu  prayer,  which  he 
ittended  with  solemnity 

r  watchers,  but  it  was 
•to  leave  him  alone  this 
and  Charles  Chambeau 
sherifl'  to  watch  with 
;  letter  was  written  by 
led  by  Mr.  Raymond, 
ler's  attorney  : 

shall  be  disappointed  in  our 

:  prisoner,  Moni?  Smith, 

1  presumo  he.  will  be  remo- 

nc.     lie  is  dying  in  conse- 

ijved  (as  he  says)  from  Mr. 

e  has  resiularly  coniplaiiied 

nd  is  now  thought  past  re- 

ttor  of  inquiry,   and  new  to 

p  know  by  the  bearer  what 

me  to  take — and  not  fail, 

continuing  until  nioniin?. 

W.  HATES." 

rer  brought  the  ibllow- 

Saiivt  John,  Sept.  'it. 
jr  of  yesterday  [  received 
hear  so  tii  spondiiig  an  ae- 
in  your  custody.  !t  will 
Tiediately  to  have  a  Coro- 
tlu'ri  cause  it  to  be  decently 
L-  charge  of  the  cause  of  IIim 


26 

«J-ail.,  ti.ati.su cir.nm.tance  which  u,u,i  „ aI  nt.>,IIVci. 
the  facU.  1.  uny  P|,y,|cian  .'.dl  attend  hn...  h-,  hi^  he 
an  cular  u.  takm.down  iu  writia,  what  ih.-  ,uuu  says 
"  his  l.ist  momeuls  as  to  the  circnmslance'^-und  if  a  Jus- 
tice should  he  prcf  enl  it  would  ii.,t  be  amiss. 
lu  haste,  Yours  sintcrely, 

W.  Bates,  Esq." 

Saturday,  Sept.  'JJtIi,  the  w,,lr,l,rr.,  icport'^d 
that  he  had  passed  a  very  reitless  night,  and  but 
just  survived  the  morning.  The  following  note 
was  then  sent  to  the  idiysidan  who  had  attend- 
ed hiin  : 

«  n-.     1^  ."  K'N03To.^,  Sept.  .M,  1814. 

Dear  Doctor,— rs,„,(h,  tl,e  prisoner,  says  that  he 
win"f^'T"'-l"",'^-"'  "''"'♦'''i^'^'='»^i'''ai..e,  w,d  (hat  vou 
xvill  not  attend  him  unless  he  can  be  removed  into  aXo- 
therroom,  which  cannot  be  permlttc.l,  but  li<;  must  fake 
•lis  late,  and  il  he,  du  s  in  iraol  an  iii(|.,iry  will  take  ph..  e 
which  may  prove  to  your  disadvantage.  1  must  there- 
lore  request  your  attention. 

1  ain  truly  ycmrs,  &c.  w     n 

Dr.  A.  Paduoc  Kj  Jun."  "     ' 

At   this    til!       the  compas.sion  of  the    whole 
neighbourhoo.    was  very  strongly   excited,   es- 
Jiecially  that  lu  (he  family  of  Mr,  «covil,    who 
sent  hiin  any  ihinj;  he  wanted    lor  his  comfort 
as  did  al.so  Mr.    Perkins'   and  Mr.    Hayn.otidS 
tamilies.  who  were  near.     Mv.   reikin,.^  vi,,,^^. 
him  about    10  o'clock,    and    kindly    oifered  to 
watch  with  him  that  nit;ht.  for  wiiid.  he  aiioear- 
ed  very  thankful.     About  h  o'clock  the   Doctor 
attended  him,    and  gave  him  some  medicine— 
I^uikI  him  so  we.'k  that  he  was  obliged  to  have 
him  lilted  up  to  give  him  his  medicin.  ,  and  to 
all.  human  ojipearance  he  was  unable  lo    hclr< 


I 


,•■■' 


26 

hiinfcllin  the  least  ;  but  the  Doctor  suid  he  Jid 
not  think  him   so  near  his  end  as  to  die  belore 
morning,  unless  he  went  off  in  a  fit.     He  was 
Ibon  left  to  himself,  with   a  probable  expecta- 
tion that  he  would  shortly  be  taken  with  ano- 
thtr  fit.  and  would  undoubtedly  expire.     About 
f!  o'clock  in   the  evening  the  Rev.  Mr.    Scovil 
obsorvod  to  his  family  that  it  was  about  the  tune 
that  Snu-.b  had  bis  fit  yesterday,  that  he  thought 
it  pn^bab'e  he  would  die  suddenly,  and  that  he 
would  waltv  over  to  Mr.  Dibbiee,  at  the   gaol, 
and  be  rradv  there  at  the  time,  as  it  would  be 
un'ploar..ut  to  him  to  be  alone.     This  so  much 
raised  the  sensibility  of  Madam  Scovil,  s.ie  could 
no*  bear  the  rrllection  that  a  child,  perhaps,  ot 
respL'i.Me    narents,   should  lie  so  near  to  her, 
in  a  sUan-«  countrv,  and  die  upon  a  bed  of  straw 
_c,„  calling  btr  wench    Jimy,   here,    ;«aid  she, 
t-ko  this  feather  bed  and  carry  it  to  the  gaol, 
a,ia  tell  your  master  I  have  sent  it  for  Smith  To 
uie  on.     Mr.  bcovil   had  not  been  in  the  house 
and  set  down  with  Mr.  Dibbiee  but  a  few   mi- 
nutes, when  u  noisQ  was  heard    from  Smith    m 
the  caol— John  Dibbiee.  who  constantly  attend- 
ed him,  r..n  i.i  i-aste.  unlocked  the  prison  door, 
and  found  Smith  expiring,  his  feet  and  legs  cold 
to  his  knees,   and  in  great  pain— lile  begged  ot 
John  to  run  and  heat  a  brick  that  was  near,   to 
give  one  moment's  relief  while  he    ^^  as  dying. 
John,  of  course,  ran  in  haste  from  the  gaol,  round 
the  stairway,  through  a  passage  that  led  to  tlie 
kitchen,   where  was   a  large   lire  of  coals,  into 
Tvhich  he  put  the  brick,   waited  not  more  than 


"l^ 


26 

ul  the  Doctor  Sitid  he  did 

his  end  as  to  die  before 
ent  off  in  a  fit.     He  was 

ith  a  probable  expecta- 
jrlly  be  taken  with  ano- 
loubtcdly  expire.  About 
ing  the  Rev.  Mr.   ScotiI 

lliat  it  was  about  the  time 
rcsterday,  that  he  thought 
die  suddenly,  and  that  he 
[r.  Dibblee,  at  the  gaol, 
I  the  time,  as  it  would  be 
be  alone.  This  so  much 
•t  Madam  Scovil,  she  could 
1  that  a  child,  perhaps,  of 

should  lie  so  near  to  her, 
ind  die  upon  a  bed  of  straw 

h    fimy,   here,    L«aid  she, 

and  carry  it  to  the  gaol, 
I  have  sent  it  for  Smith  To 
had  not  been  in  the  house 
Ir.  Dibblee  but  a  few  ini- 
ivas  heard  from  Smith  in 
lee.  who  constantly  attend- 

unlocked  the  prison  door, 
liing,  his  feet  and  legs  cold 

great  pain— lile  begged  of 
[a  brick  that  was  near,  to 
elief  wiiile  he  xs  as  dying, 
nhasti;  from  the  gaol,  round 
h  a  passage  that  led  to  the 
a  large  lire  of  coals,  into 
ick,   waited  not  more  than 


T. 


three  mintilc.s,  and  returned  with  ii  w.irnicd, 
but  to  his  indescribable  aslonislunent  FOUND 
NO  ONi:  IN  Till-:  1U:D.  Ue  TAn  with  the 
tidin;.;s  to  his  father  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Scovil, 
(who.wcre  silting  in  a  room  by  which  he  !nu<:t 
have  passed  to  go  out)  who  could  not  believe 
the  report,  until  they  had  examined  and  found 
that  not  only  the  man  uas  i^onc,  but  every  thing 
ht  had  ill  the  room  was  taken  mvoy  with  hiii,. — 
On  going  out  and  looking  round  the  house  for 
him,  Mr.  Scovil  met  Amy  wilh  the  feather  bed, 
who  said  to  him,  Misses  send  the  bed  for  Smit 
— Her  master  told  her  to  take  it  home,  and  tell 
her  mistress  Smith  was  gone.  Amy  ran  home 
and  told  her  mistress,  M.issasay  Smit  gone  ;  he 
noj||ant  cm  bed — Ah  !  exclaimed  her  mi>tress, 
poor  man  !  is  he  dead  :  Well,  Amy,  then  you 
may  run  and  carry  over  a  shirt  and  a  winding 
sheet  to  lay  Smith  out  in.  Amy  ran  over  and 
told  her  master  accordingly — Vou  may  take 
them  back,  said  he,  Smith  is  gone — Where  he 
gone,  massa  ?  I  don't  know,  said  he,  without 
the  devil  has  taken  him  oil' — So  great  was  his 
astonishment  at  the  deception. 

In  the  mean  time  the  alarm  spread  in  tlip 
neighborhood,  and  a  Mr.  Yandle,  who  hii['penvd 
to  be  passing,  was  senl  wilh  Ihe  tidings  lo  the 
Sherifl",  wliom  he  met  on  his  way  to  tlie  gaol, 
to  see  the  last  moinenis  of  Sinilii.  being  told 
(hat  Smith  was  gone — roor  f..;llow  !  said  he,  I 
expected  it  ;  what  liino  did  lie  die  .' — But  he  is 
gone  off' clear  ! — It  is  i!npossil)le  he  cm  be-  far 
out  of  bed.     Why,  s.iij  Mr.  Vandle,   on   paoS 


'g'yii'f'" 


a 


u 


ing,  I  saw  them  all  out  about  the  gaol  lookini; 
for  him,  and  no  one  could  tell  which  way  he 
had  gone.  Unparalleled  and  abominable  de- 
ception ! — How  did  he  get  out  •f  gaol  ?  He  be- 
lieved John  Dibblee  left  the  door  open/  and 
while  he  was  gone  to  heat  a  brick,  Smith  made 
his  escape.  This  was  our  first  introduction  t<« 
the  true  character  of  Henry  More  Smith  ;  and 
it  is  impossible  to  express,  or  even  to  conceive, 
with  what  wonderful  plausibility  he  imposed  a 
feigned  illness  upon  all  who  saw  him  as  a  pro- 
found reality. 

In  order  to  explain  his  furl!ier  progress  the 
reader  should  have  some  knowledge  of  the  coun- 
try. 

Kii\(iSTON  is  situated  on  a  neck  or  tongullof 
land,  formed  by  the  long  reach  of  the  river  St. 
.John  and  Bellisle  Bay,  running  north  east  and 
south  west,  on  the  east  side — and  by  the  river 
Kennebeccacis  running  the  same  course  on  the 
west  side,  and  emptying  into  the  Grand  Bay  of 
the  river  St.  John,  about  five  miles  from  its 
mouth — leaving  a  tract  ol  land  between  the  two 
rivers,  of  about  five  miles  in  width,  and  up- 
wards of  thirty  miles  in  length.  The  winter 
road  by  ice,  from  Frederickton  (the  seat  of  gov- 
ernment) to  the  city  St.  John,  crosses  the  land 
to  the  Kennebeccacis,  and  is  inhabited  on  both 
sides.  This  road  is  intersected  in  the  centre 
by  another,  running  north  east,  about  seven 
miles,  and  'hence  branching  easterly,  crossing 
the  Kennebeccacisat  the  distanceof  thirty  miles, 
Icadjno-  through  the  conntv   of  Westmoreland, 


i>j|mt^iip4m-»  ' 


'"yjiW- 


the  gaol  luokin>; 
I  wliich  way  he 
1  abominable  de- 
af gaol  ?  llfbe- 
!  door  open/  and 
rick,  Sniilii  made 
t  introduction  to 
tfore  Smith  ;  and 
even  to  conceive, 
ily  he  imposed  a 
i\v  him  as  a  pro- 

her  progress  the 
ledge  of  the  coun- 

eck  or  tonguilof 
li  of  the  river  St. 
ng  north  east  and 
-and  by  the  river 
ne  course  on  tlic 
he  Grand  Bay  of 
ve  miles  from  its 
1  between  the  two 

width,  and  up- 
jth.  The  winter 
1  (the  seat  of  gov- 

crosses  the  land 
inhabited  on  both 
ted  in  the  centre 
ast,  about  seven 
easterly,  crossing 
ice  of  thirty  mile?, 
if  Westmoreland, 


-■'.■'W '.?" 


29  . 

I.r.yiiug    the    Lay   of  Fundy  at    Cumberland; 
am   leading  from  thence,  by  dKTen.nt  mads,  to 
Halilax,  I'ictou  and  every  part  of  Nova-Siolia 
The  western  branch  of  ssid  road  runnins  uorth- 
erly  to   (he  head  of  L'.IJisle  Bay.  thence  to  the 
Wasliadamoac  lake     crossing   the  ferry,   from 
thence  to  the.  Jemsag  Creek,  and  tlience  to  Fred- 
ericktolPby  land,  through  MaUgerville,   on  the 
east  side  of  the  river  St.  John.     At   the  inter- 
section of  these  roads,   on  an  eminence,  stand 
the  Church  and  the  Court-House,  (under  which 
IS  the  prison)    fronting   each   other.     There  is 
also  a  road  running  north  west,  and  south  east, 
troin  the  gaol,  leading  westerly  to  Bellisle  Bay 
crossing  a  ferry  at  the  distance  of  five  miles  • 
thence  to  a  short  ferry  at  Tenant's  Cove,  thencJ 
to  the  ferry  crossing  the  river  St.  John  ;  and 
Irom   thence   through   Gagetown,   on  the  west 
side  the   river,   to  Frederickton,    distant  sixty 
miles  :— the    said   road    leading    southeasterly 
from  the  gaol"  to  the  ferry  over  the  Kennebecca- 
cis ;  and  troai  tiieiice  on  the  west  side  of  the 
river  to  the  city  St.  John.     The  house  of  Mr. 
t.  Newman  Perkins,  stands   northerly   at    the 
distance  of  ten  rods  from  the  gaol—at  ^n  equal 
oistance   southerly,    the   iiouse  of  the  Rev.  E. 
Wil,  and  other  houses  in  ditFereiit  directions 
—the  land  all  clear,  and  no  shelter  for  a  consid- 
erable distance,  but  fences. 

From  this  situation  the  prisoner  escaped  wilh- 
c'lt  any  track  or  trace  of  him  being  discovered. 
After  searching  the  fences  and  fields,  and  /ind- 
itig  nothing  of  him,   it  was  conclu  led  tiut  he 


^ 


«iMta<K«k.uu 


I  '»'  ili<»r  ■iiW^  ■.^■>*^ 


J 


30 

had  eonei-ithrr  toward  St.  John,  or  on  the  roa J 
to  Nova.Sco.i.,  by  which  he  came  According- 
ly men  were  sent  to  the  ftrry.  and  on  the  road 

0  Saint  John-  -and  myself,  w,th  Mr.  Moses  Fos- 
ter  deputy  ^icriii;  pursued  on  the  road  toward 
No'va-Scotia,  withal!  speed  ;  setting  watchers m 
different  places,  until  we  were  «tns.ble  we  mus 
have  passed  him  ;  and  arriving  at  a  hdfte  that 
he  could  not  pass  without  coming  very  near, 
we  wa  ched  fol  him  all  night.     At  daybreak, 

"aring  nothing  of  him    I  furnished  Mr^Foster 
with  money  and  sent  him  on  the  road,  with  di- 
;«     ol   to"^  proceed    to  Mr.   M'Leods  tavern 
distant  40  miJes,  and  if  he  got  "«  .'"'«»'f  "^^ 
there,  to  return.     I  returned  to  Kingston  my- 
self, whore  1  was  informed,  toward  evening 
that  a  man  who  answered  his  description,   had 
crossed  the  ferry  at  Bellisle  Bay,  in  great  haste 
said  he  was  going  express  to  Frederickton.  and 
mu^t  he  there  by  ten  o'clock  next  morning  ;  and 

1  had  no  doubt  he  was  the  man.  ^It  was  now  Sun- 
day evening  :  he  had  twenty-four  hours  start, 
ISpin.  fo?  life,  had  got  out  of  the  County, 
and  no  h..pcs  remained  with  me  of  apprehend- 
in.  him-l,  however,  forwarded  advertise- 
„.cnls  after  hi:n.  cf.eru.g  a  reward  of  t went) 
dollars,  to  ;  uy  one  who  would  apprehend,   and 

brln-'  him  back.  „ 

Wondn-  mor.int;.  the  2Cth,  Mr.   Moses  Fos- 
ter rHurncd,   of  course,    without  success;  ami 
many    tafavorable  reports  began  to    c.rculat 
respccn^  his  e3cape-and  I  telt  "'Pelf  "«t^, 
Uttle  chagrined  with  my  situation.     A  Court  oi 


..jkijiik. 


•iiijiiJffir.M>iitei"i  '•  - 


Oyei 

bavii 

from 

Cour 

cial 

wholi 

cessa 

my 

reodi 

»ng.  I 
viijaii 
ting  0 
bad  c 
first  r 
some 
BoyI« 
he  la^ 
the  d; 
going 
and  n 
open 
eight 
pania 
cles  ; 
sloppi 
house 
not  gt 
dark- 
house 
be  th( 
pursui 
the  ro 

to    OV( 


) 

St.  John,  or  on  tlie  roaJ 
ii  he  caiiif.     According- 
ftrry,  and  on  the  road 
;lf,  with  Mr.  Moses  Fos- 
ued  on  the  road  toward 
eed  ;  setting  w  atchers  in 
e  were  sensible  we  must 
irriving  at   a  hdfce  that 
hout  coming  very  near, 
night.     At  day-break, 
1  furnished  Mr.  Foster 
m  on  the  road,  with  di- 
)  Mr.  M'Leod's  tavern, 
r  he  got  no  intelligence 
urned  to  Kingston  my- 
rmed,  toward  evening, 
ed  his  description,   had 
lisle  Bay,  in  great  haste ; 
ess  to  Frederickton,  and 
clock  next  morning  ;  and 
eman.     ItwasnowSun- 
wenty-four  hours   start, 
got  out  of  the  County, 
I  with  me  of  apprehend- 
,    forwiirded     advertise- 
ijig  a  reward  of  twenty 
L>  would  apprehend,   and 

e  26th,  Mr.  Moses  Fos- 
e,  without  success;  am! 
)orts  began  to  circulate 
-and  I  felt  myself  not  :i 
ly  situation.     A  Court  ol 


^1 


Oyer  and  Terminer  ?nd  General  Gaol  Deliv«:ry 
having  been  ordered,   and  the  Jury  summonjd 
from  all  parts  of  the  County,   to  attend   at  the 
Cuurt-House  on  Tuesday  following,  for  the  spe- 
cial   purpose  of  trying  the  horse  stealer,    my 
whole   attention  was  roijuirtd   to  make  the  •:".- 
cessary  preparations  ;  and  addcd,not  a  little  to 
my    chagrin  and    disappointment — which    was 
rendered  still  greater  wlien,  on  Tuesday  morn- 
ing, I  was  informed  by  Mr.  E.  Jones,    that  the 
villain,  instead  of  escaping  for  his  life,  and  get- 
ting out  of  my  reach  in  the  most  secret  manner, 
had  only  travelled  abo«t  ten  or  twelve  miles  the 
first  night,  and  was  seen  next  morning  lyins;  on 
some   straw    before    the    barn    of  Mr.    Robert 
Boyle,  on  the  road  toward  Gagclown  ;  and  that 
he  lay  there   until  about  twelve  o'clock   in  the 
the  day — and  seeing  Mr.  Boyle  and    his  wife, 
going  from   hoaie,  leaving  the   door  unlocked, 
and  no  person  in  the  bouse,  he  went  in,   broi.e 
open   a   trunk,  and  carried  off  a  silver  watch, 
eight  dollars  in  money,   a   now    pair  of  velvet 
pantaloons  atjd  a  pocket  book,   with  other   n''- 
ties  ;  that  he  then  walked  leisurely  away,  and 
slopped  in   at  the  next    house,    and    at  all  tho 
houses  that  were   hear  upon  the  road,  and  did 
not  get   more  than   three  or  foar  miles  before 
•lark — when   Mr.  Boyle   came  home,  found  his 
house  had  been  robbed,   and  suspected  him  (.> 
be  the  man.     He  alarmed  his  neighbours,  who 
pursued  him  in  great  spirit,   hearing  of  him  on 
the  road  but  little  ahead  of  them,  and  expectinr^ 
to  overtake  him  in  a  few  mimics;  but   were 


'4 


Wf.'' 


taftr 


•"P" 


32 

ilisappointcd,  as  he  disappparcd  from  the  roncl, 
nnd  no  I'lirlln'i-  track  or  infonnation  could  br 
foiiiul,  !ind  after  the  most  diligent  search  nnd 
|iursuit  as  far  as  Gagetown,  they  returned  the 
next  day  without  any  intelligence,  leaving  ad- 
vertisements at  Gagetown  and  Frederickton, 
descrihing  the  man  and  the  watch. 

Laic  on  Sunday  night,  a  man  came  to  Ihe 
house  of  Mr.  Green,  liting  on  an  island,  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Washedentoac  lake,  who  said  he 
was  a  Frenchman,  goin:;  to  Fredtrckton  after 
laud,  and  cann-  in  to  intjuire  the  way — Mr. 
Green  informed  him  he  was  on  an  island,  and 
he  might  stay  till  mornmg.  and  then  he  would 
put  him  in  his  way  ;  made  up  a  large  fire,  by 
which  the  man  examined  his  pocket  hook,  and 
was  seen  to  burn  several  papers,  and  at  last, 
threw  the  book  ii.to  the  fire  and  burned  it  up  . 
which  caused  a  strong  suspicion  in  Mr.  Green. 
it  being  in  time  of  war,  that  he  must  be  a  bad 
character ;  and  in  the  morning  he  took  hirn  in 
his  canoe,  and  paddled  him  directly  to  Justice 
Colwell.  a  ueighboring  magistrate,  to  give  ac- 
count of  himself — where,  on  examination,  he 
answered  with  so  much  simplicity,  that  the  ju!^- 
tice  could  find  nothing;  that  would  justify  di- 
taining  him  ;  and  appeared  so  inoffensive,  that 
there  could  be  no  harm  in  him  ;  and  in  consc- 
quonce,  let  him  go.  He  went  to  an  Indiaw 
Cauip,  and  hired  an  Indian  to  take  him,  (as  Ik 
said)  to  Frederickton  ; — but  crossing  the  river 
he  went  to  Mr.  Nathaniel  Veal's  tavern,  ni. 
CrimrossNeck,  nearly  opposite  Gagctowi,  ant. 


tli< 
br 
til) 
o'« 

tC! 

Ml 
sin 

Wf 

At 

wi 
bri 
tra 
cai 
we 
Co 
ide 
ing 
stu 
Fr. 
the 
he( 
the 
fra 

wc 
lull 
coil 
the 
sus 
niv 
the 

MAI 


mUtm'.^'  ll< 


,,i  ;  I.,  r-nil'g <''■<'>.% 


BjWHUii  'WMj)Wf.i'WnafWiiB~  -ii'vuii  »pj,i,i>ii'»  mm.' 


p  pea  red  from  the  road, 
r  iiifonnation  could  be 
est  diligent  pearrh  and 
wn,  they  returned  the 
ntelligencp,  leavinj;  ad- 
wn  and  Frederickton, 
the  watch. 

lit,  a  man  came  to  ihe 
ing  on  an  island,  at  the 
ntoac  lake,  vho  said  he 
i;j  to  FredtT'ckton  after 
in(|uire  the  nay — Mr. 
p  was  on  an  island,  and 
ling,  and  then  he  would 
ade  up  a  large  fire,  hj 
d  his  pocket  hook,  and 
rai    papers,   and  at  last. 

tire  and  burned  it  up  . 
suspicion  in  Mr.  Green. 

that  he  must  be  a  bad 
morning  lie  took  hirn  in 
d  him  directly  to  Justice 
magistrate,  to  give  ai- 
e.  on  examination,  he 
simplicity,  that  the  jus- 

tbat  would  justify  dt;- 
ired   so  inoffensive,  that 

in  him  ;  and  in  consc- 
He  went  to  an  Indian 
Jian  to  take  him,  (as  Ik 
— but  crossing  the  river 
aniel  Veal's  tavern,  ni. 
opposite  Gagctown.  ant^ 


53 

the  wind  blowing  hard  ahead,  he  called  for 
breakfast  for  himsflf  and  his  Indian  ;  staid  some- 
time ;  bad  his  In.ots  cleaned  ;  and  about  eleven 
o'clock  left  t:iere,  taking  with  him  a  set  of  silver 
tea-spoons,  from  a  bye  closet  in  the  parlor  of 
Mrs.  Veal,  and  nothing  hiid  been  heard  of  him 
since.  Four  men,  with  my  advertisements, 
went  in  pursuit  of  him. 

About  eleven  o'clock,  Tuesday  morning,  the 
Attorney  General  arrived  from" Frederickton. 
with  very  unfavorable  impressions  on  his  mind  ; 
bringing  information,  that  the  prisoner  was  still 
traversing  along  shore,  stealing  wherever  he 
came,  and  was  not  apprehended.  The  Jury  als.. 
were  collecting  from  diilerent  parishes  in  the 
County,  and  brought  with  them  imfavorable 
ideas,  from  the  reports  in  circulation,  respect- 
ing the  escape — Among  which,  was  a  report 
studiously  circulated,  that  the  prisoner  was  a 
Freemason,  and  it  was  believed  by  some  that 
the  Masons  had  contrived  to  let  him  escape, 
because  he  was  one  of  their  order — Mr.  Dibblee, 
the  gaoler,  being  a  conspicuous  member  of  that 
fraternity. 

The  public  mind  became  so  prejudiced,  that 
we  could  say  nothing  in  our  own  justification, 
luit  the  (ilea  of  his  deceptio,n,  which  no  one 
could  believe,  except  those  who  saw  it,  and  as 
the  prisoner  escaped  through  the  door,  strong 
suspicion  was  entertained  of  a  voluntary  con- 
nivance at  Jiis  escape.  Wilh  such  impression 
the  Court  assembled.  His  Honor  Judge  Chip- 
man  presided.     I  Lad   strtngly  hoped  and  ex- 


'\ 


^- 


54 


Bfctcd  that  tlin  prisoner  would  be  a|)pr<.'iicnd- 
ed,  and  biouKbt  before  Ibe  Court,  as  be  was 
jiursued  in  all  directions.  After  tbe  Grand  Ju- 
ry were  iuipannelled  and  sworn,  tbe  Court  ad- 
journod  until  eleven  o'clock  next  day,  waiting 
tbe  return  of  tbe  prisoner— to  liasten  wbicb,  1 
desp::tcb("d  Mr.  IJcnjamin  Furnald,  with  a  boat, 
and  directions  to  pursue  bim  as  far  as  be  could 
hearof  bini,  until  lie  brouirbt  bim  back. 

Wednesday  tbe  Court  met,  and  went  toother 
business— beard  nolliing:  of  the  prisoner— In  tbe 
afternoon,  Mr.  .^ohn  I'.'^arson,  witness  against 
the  prisoner,  arriw  d  from  Nova-Scolia,  a  dis- 
tance of  aCOmii.s— 'I'ovrrd  evening,  rcport.s 
began  to  circulate  that  the  horse  stealer  bad 
evaded  all  his  pursuers,  and  had  dis:ip['e..red. 
No  account  could  he  heard  [lom  him  up  the  river 
St.  John,  and  slroiij;  suspicion  was  bad,  that  he 
was  making  liis  way  hack  for  Nova-Scotia — and 
it  was  also  reported  that  a  man  had  been  seen 
crossing  the  AVaslic  denioac  to  liellisle  Bay  with 
an  Indian  ;  hut  nothing  to  be  relied  on.  The 
Court  rdjourned  until  next  morning  at  ten  o'- 
clock. • 

Notbiii  >re  was  heard  until  Thursday,  early 
in  the  n-orning,  whcaMr.  B.  Furnald  n-turiied> 
find  reported,' that  he  got  tncU  of  the  prisoner, 
nnd  pursued  him  through  Maugerville  ;  that  he 
lodged  the  night  before  be  arrived  at  Mr.  Solo- 
mon Fcarley's,  and  stole  a  pair  of  new  hoots; 
had  olTered  the  £[)0()ns  for  sale  to  Mr.  Pearley  ; 
that  be  then  walked  upas  far  as  Mr.  Hailey'* 
tavern,  wbon^  he  stopped  so»i«.  time,  and  from 


tf 

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d 
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%' 
h< 


ir 
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tl 

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ir 
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tl 

b 

r( 

ti 

c 

S 


irould  be  apprchcnii- 
e  Court,  as  lie  was 
After  the  Grand  Ju- 
vvorn,  the  Court  aJ- 
k.  next  day,  waiting 
-to  hasten  which,  1 
I'-urnald,  with  a  boat, 
iin  as  far  as  he  could 
it  him  back, 
pt,  atid  w<int  to  other 
the  prisoner — In  tlie 
on,  witness  against 
I  Novii-Scolia,  a  dis- 
rrd  evruing,  reports 
10  horse  stealer  had 
md  bad  disnpf'cared. 
Iiom  him  up  the  river 
Jon  was  bad,  lliat  he 
for  Nova-Scotia — and 
1  man  had  been  seen 
;  to  liellisle  Bay  with 
3  be  relied  on.  The 
,xt  morning  at  ten  o'- 

unlilTbursday,  early 

B.  Funiald  n-tunied, 

trjcU  of  the  prisoner, 

Maugerville  ;  that  he 

s  arrived  at  Mr.  Solo- 

i  pair  of  new  boots  ; 

sale  to  Mr.  Pearley  ; 

s  far  as  Mr.  Hailey's 

som«.  time,  and  from 


86 


thence  wa<  seen,  tow.irds  ni^ht,  under  a  bridge, 
Cdiinlinn  h  s  money.  No  farther  track  could  b« 
discovered  of  hitn,  in  that  part  ;  and  It  was  lie- 
licvcd  he  had  lak(i)  an  liidiin  to  pilot  him,  and 
oonc  by  the  way  of  the  Washedemoac,  and 
hea<i  of  n<llisle,  for  Nova-Scotia. 

At  ten  o'clock  Thursday  morning,  the  Court 
met  rircording  to  adjournment,  to  conclude  the 
business  then  before  them,  with  but  little  hope 
of  si'L'ing  the  hurse-stealer  ;  and,  of  course,  a 
gloomy  appearance  on  our  side — wht'U  about 
three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  a  servant  of  Mr. 
Knox  came  express  to  the  Court,  with  informa- 
tion to  his  master,  that  liis  other  horse  was  miss- 
ing out  of  the  pasture  ;  that  he  was  seen  at  one 
o'clock  at  night,  and  was  gone  in  the  morning; 
that  a  strange  Indian  had  been  seen  about  the 
place,  who  it  was  believed  bad  piloted  Smith 
through  the  woods  ;  upon  which  a  general  alarm 
took  place.  Mr.  Knox  was  quite  outrageous, 
would  hear  nothing  to  the  sheritl",  who  doubted 
the  report ; — would  het  a  thousand  guineas  that 
Smith  had  stolen  his  other  horse  ;  that  he  knew 
him  to  be  the  greatest  villain  upon  earth  ;  and 
that  his  life  was  in  danger,  if  he  was  suffered 
to  go  at  lar^e  ;  and  the  whole  Court  were  in 
consturnatiotj — His  Honi  r  the  Judge  observed 
that  great  remissness  of  duly  appeared — A 
bench  warrant  was  issued  by  the  Court,  di- 
rected 10  all  the  sheriffs  and  ministers  of  jus- 
tice throughout  the  provincu  of  New-Brunswick, 
commanding  them  to  apprehend  the  said  More 
Smith  and  bring    him  to  justice — Mr.    Knox, 


-**. 


36 


I 


W'itli  Henry  Lyon  and  Isaiah  Smith  went  iu 
pursuit  of  hiui  toward  Noya-Scotia  ;  Moses 
Foster,  deputy  sheriff,  and  Nathan  Deforest, 
were  dispatched  by  tho  head  of  Beilisle  Bay  to 
Fredcricktou,  and  directed  to  pursue  on  to  the 
American  spttiement,  and  as  tar  as  tliey  could 
get  any  information  of  him.  The  sheriff  then 
wrote  an  advertisement  for  the  public  papers, 
offering  forty  dollars  reward,  and  the  Attorney 
General  added  forty  more,  which  made  the  re- 
ward eighty  dollars.  Indictments  were  prepar- 
ed, and  the  Grand  Jury  soon  found  a  bill  a- 
gainst  the  Sheriff  and  Gaoler  for  negligent  es- 
cape ;  and  they  were  recognized  to  appear  at 
the  next  Court  of  Oyer  and  Terminer  and  Gen- 
eral Goal  Delivery,  and  traverse  the  indict- 
ments. 

The  business  before  the  Court  being  nearly 
finished,  after  paying  the  witness,  Mr.  Pear- 
son, for  his  travel  and  attendance,  amounting 
to  one  hundred  dollars,  the  Court  adjourned 
without  day. 

Nothing  was  heard  of  our  adventurer  until  af- 
ter the  return  of  Mr.  Knox  with  his  parly,  from 
a  fruitless  pursuit  of  ten  days,  into  the  province 
of  Nova-Scotia,  as  far  as  Rushabuctuau.  The 
day  following,  Mr.  Foster  and  Mr.  Deforest 
returned,  and  reported,  that  they  had  pursued 
on  to  Frederickton  without  hes^infr  any  thing 
of  him,  until  they  had  passed  Frederickton  about 
three  miles,  where  they  heard  of  a  stranger  hav- 
ing staid  all  night  at  a  private  house,  that  an- 
swered his  description,   who  had  gone  on  the 


''«mi 


Isaiah  Smith  went  iu 
Noya-Scotia  ;  Moses 
nd  Nathan  Deforest, 
;ad  of  Bellisle  Bay  to 
d  to  pursue  on  to  the 
as  tar  as  tliey  could 
m.  The  sherilT  then 
or  the  public  papers, 
ird,  and  the  Attorney 
;,  which  made  the  re- 
lictinents  were  prepar- 
tj  soon  found  a  bill  a- 
lolerfor  negligent  es- 
cognized  to  appear  at 
id  Terminer  and  Gen- 
l  traverse  the   indict- 

lie  Court  being  nearly 

le  witness,   Mr.  Pear- 

ttenilance,   amounting 

the  Court    adjourned 

lur  adventurer  until  at'- 
(X  with  his  party,  from 
lays,  into  the  province 
i  Rushabuctcau.  The 
iter  and  Mr.  Deforest 
:hat  they  had  pursued 
)ut  he^intr  any  thing 
sed  Frederickton  about 
leardof  a  stranger  hav- 
irivate  house,  that  an- 
who  had  gone  on  the 


road  toward  Woodstock,  and  pursuing  on,  found 
Le  had  staid  at  Mr.  Ingraham's  tavern  the  next 
night,  slept  till  late  next^norning,  being  fatigued, 
paid  his  bill  and  went  otF,  having  previously 
opened  a  trunk  that  was  in  the  room  adjoining 
where  he  slept,  and  taken  away  with  him,  a  full 
suit  of  new  black  clothes  of  Mr.  Ingraham's  that 
cost  forty  dollars,  a  silk  cloak,  with  other  arti- 
cles, which  he  concealed  so  as  not  to  be  discov- 
ered. This  intelligence  left  no  doubt  of  his 
being  the  person  they  were  in  pursuit  of.  Mr. 
Ingraham,  not  missing  his  clothes  immediately, 
had  not  pursued  him. 

The  next  day  he  went  only  as  far  as  Mrs. 
Robertson's,  where  he  found  a  collection  of 
young  people— played  the  fiddle  for  them,  and 
staid  "the  next  day  and  night.  He  then  pro- 
ceeded towards  Woodstock,  leaving  the  spoons 
with  Mrs.  R.  and  taking  a  shirt--took  passage 
in  a  canpe,  and  happened  to  fall  in  company- 
with  another,  that  had  been  at  Frederickton,  in 
which  was  passenger  the  Rev.  Mr.  Dibble,  mis- 
sionary at  Woodstock,  with  a  young  man  poling 
his  canoe.  The  young  man  had  seen  at  Fred- 
erickton the  advertisement  of  Mr.  Boyle,  des- 
cribing the  man  and  the  watch,  which  had  a 
singular  .iteel  chain,  and  observed  to  Mr.  Dibble 
that  they  both  answered  the  appearance  of  the 
stranger.  Being  close  along  side,  Mr.  D.  asked 
him  the  time  of  day— Being  told,  he  asked  him 
to  let  him  look  at  his  watch,  observing  that  he 
might  be  mistaken.  He  very  readily  gave  it 
bitn,  and  it  was  lound  so  exactly  te  answer  the 


-m 


38 


deocripfiou  that  be  challenged  it  as  the  proper- 
ty of  Mr.  Boyle.  Smith  very  deliberately  said 
it  was  a  favorile  watcii  that  he  had  owned  a 
long  time,  but  if  he  had  heard  of  one  like  it  be- 
ing stolen,  he  had  no  objection  to  leave  it  with 
him  till  he  returned,  which  would  be  in  about 
two  weeks.  Mr.  D.  replied  that  the  suspicion 
was  so  strong,  bv  what  the  young  man  said  from 
the  advertisement,  that  he  thought  he  would 
detain  him  also,  until  he  could  hear  from  Fred- 
crickton.  lie  answered  that  he  was  on  impor- 
tant business  and  could  not  be  detained  .;  but  if 
he  would  pay  his  expenses  and  make  himself 
responsible  for  damages  incurred  by  his  deten- 
tion, that  he  had  no  objection  to  stop  till  he 
could  send  to  Frederickton — otherwise,  he 
should  be  back  in  ten  or  twelve  days,  and  by 
that  time  he  might  be  satisfied,  and  he  would 
leave  the  watch  until  his  return.  He  appeared 
so  indifferent  and  unconcerned,  and  talked  so 
plausibly,  without  exhibiting  one  sign  of  guilt, 
that  they  let  him  go,  but  kept  the  watch  as  a 
pledge  for  his  return. 

He  continued  on  through  the  settlement  of 
Woodstock  until  he  came  tp  the  road  that  leads 
to  the  American  settlement  ;  being  near  night, 
^le  was  asked  by'  a  man  of  whom  he  inquired 
the  road  to  tarry  all  night,  as  he  could  not  get 
to  the  settlement  till  late,  the  distance  being  12 
miles — He  said  two  men  had  gone  on  before  him, 
pn  their  way  to  the  United  States,  and  he  fear- 
ed they  would  leave  him  in  the  morning,  and 
,^vent  on.     It  happened,  a  short  time  afttr  they 


|»ari 
the 
on  I 
ed  1 
bou 
side 
low 
Wo 
mer 
forii 
des( 
TIh 
ed, 

St. 

four 

eral 

Bop 

gaoi 

lain 

en, 

trac 

whe 

to  f 

veil 
thej 
rep( 
I 
trav 

V'OC 

not 
hav 


iged  it  as  the  proper- 
/ery  deliberately  said 
that  lie  had  owned  a 
;ard  of  one  like  it  be- 
:tion  to  leave  it  with 
li  would  be  ill  about 
ed  tliat  the  suspicion 
■  joung  man  said  from 
le  thought  he  would 
ould  hear  from  Fred- 
hat  he  was  on  impor- 
>t  be  detained  .;  but  if 
ses  and  make  himself 
icurred  by  his  deten- 
ction  to  stop  till  he 
kton — otherwise,  he 
welve  days,  and  by 
isfied,  and  he  would 
eturn.  He  appeared 
erned,  and  talked  so 
ing  one  sign  of  guilt, 
kept  the  watch  as  a 

gh  the  settlement  of 
tp  the  road  that  leads 
tt  ;  being  near  night, 
of  whom  he  inquired 
,  as  he  could  tiut  get 
the  distance  being  12 
d  gone  on  before  him, 
I  States,  and  he  fear- 
in  the  morning,  and 
short  time  afttr  they 


,39 


parted,  that  two  young  men  arrived  there  from 
the  settlement ;  being  asTicd  if  they  met  two  men 
on  the  road,  ttiey  stid  no.  It  was  then  susp'xt- 
ed  that  Smith  was  a  deserter.  They  turned  a- 
bout  and  pursued  after  him  to  the  American 
side,  but  found  nothing  of  him.  The  day  fol- 
lowing, Mr.  Foster  and  Mr.  Deforest  arrived  at 
Woodstock,  and  went  on  to  the  American  settle- 
ment, but  could  hear  nothing  of  him.  They  in- 
formed the  inhabitants  of  the  character  of  Smith, 
described  him,  and  offered  a  reward  of  £-0. 
The  people  seemed  well  disposed,  and  promis- 
ed, if  Le  caiiii^  ilia!  way,  to  aecuic  Iiiiii. 

Messrs.  F.  and  D.  then  returned  to  the  river 
St.  John,  and  again  got  track  of  the  prisoner — 
found  he  had  crossed  the  river,  stopped  at  sev- 
eral houses  for  refreshment,  and  called  himself 
Bond  ;  enquired  after  a  thief  that  had  broke 
gaol  at  Kingston  ;  said  he  was  a  notorious  vil- 
lain, that  he  would  certainly  be  hanged,  if  tak- 
en, an('  that  he  was  in  pursuit  of  him.  They 
traced  him  down  the  river  to  an  Indian  camp, 
where  they  found  he  had  agreed  with  an  Indian 
to  pilot  him  through  the  woods  to  the  U.  States 
by  the  way  of  Ell  River,  a  rout  frequently  tra- 
velled, and  had  finally  escaped  ;  upon  which 
they  thought  proper  to  return,  and  make  their, 
report. 

It  appeared  afterwards,  that  the  Indian,  after 
travelling  a  day  or  two  on  his  rout  through  the 
woods,  piobably  finding  that  his  jouiney  would 
not  be  very  profitable,  and  discovering  Smith  to 
have  a  pistol,  began  to*be  jealous  of  him,  re- 


I 


^mmiii 


4  40 

fused  to  pilot  liim  any  further,  gave  him  back 
part  of  his  money,  and  returned.  Smith,  of 
course,  was  obliged  fo  return  wiih  him,  and  try 
his  chance  the  other  way,  by  the  American  set- 
tlement, where  ht  arrived  about  the  10th  of 
October,  in  the  morning,  said  he  was  in  pursuit 
of  a  deserter,  and  wanted  some  refreshment — 
While  his  breakfast  was  preparing,  notice  was 
given  among  the  inhabitants,  when  Dr.  Rice,  a 
principal  character  ther'!,  caused  him  to  beta- 
ken and  secured.  The  clothes  he  had^  stolen 
from  Mr.  Ingrabam  he  had  oh,  except  the  pan- 
taloons, which  he  had  exchanged  for  a  pistol- 
He  said  he  purchased  the  clothes,  very  cheap, 
of  a  man  who,  he  believed,  was  a  Yankey. — 
He  was  then  placed  in  charge  of  Mr.  A.  Putnam 
and  a  Mr.  Watson  of  Woodstock,  and  ordered 
back  to  Frederickton.  On  their  way  they  stop- 
ped with  the  prisoner  at  the  Attorney -General's, 
about  three  miles  from  Frederickton,  and  then 
proceeded  into  town,  where  the  Supreme  Court 
was  then  sitting.  He  was  brought  before  the 
Court,  and  u  large  number  of  spectators.  The 
Hon.  Judge  Sanders  asked  him  his  name — he 
sail!,  Smilli.  Are  you  the  man  that  escaped 
from  the  gaol  at  Kingston  ? — Yes.  He  was  theu 
ordered  to  prison.  Being  asked  how  he  made 
his  escape,  he  said,  the  gaoler  opened  the  door, 
and  the  priest  prayed  him  out.  The  day  fol- 
lowing he  was  remanded  to  Kingston  gaol 
Putnam  and  Watson  sat  out  with  him  in  an  In- 
dian bark  canoe,  one  sitting  at  each  end — He 
was  haiidcuSTecl,  pinioned,  and  tied.to  a  bar  of 


the  ( 
to  V 
they 
site 
watc 
toK 
Boy] 
iiig  I; 

befoi 

and  J 

sone 

to  S( 

side 

leav( 

thef 

to  th 

gott 

any 

his  a 

holdi 

tliey 

seize 

his  h 

the  I 

his 

on. 

T 
rrad( 
ingi 
atK 
with 
Job  I 


"Wn 


WJfl^-llH.'   - 


rther,  gave  him  back 
returned.  Smith,  of 
turn  wi^h  him,  and  try 
,  by  the  American  sei- 
zed about  the  lOtb  of 
said  he  was  in  pursuit 
d  some  refreshment — 
preparing,  noticu  was 
ints,  when  Dr.  Rice,  a 
,  caused  him  to  be  ta- 
clotfaes  he  had^  stolen 
id  OH,  except  the  paa- 
icchanged  for  a  pistol — '■ 
B  clothes,  very  cheap, 
ved,  was  a  Yankey. — 
large  of  Mr.  A.  Putnam 
jodstock,  and  ordered 
3a  their  way  they  stop- 
he  Attorney -General's, 
i'rederickton,  and  then 
icrc  the  Supreme  Court 
as  brought  before  the 
er  of  spectators.  The 
sked  him  his  name — he 
the  man  that  escaped 
1  ? — Fes.  He  was  theu 
ng  asked  bow  he  made 
gaoler  opened  the  door, 
'm  out.     The  day  fol- 

d  to  Kingston  gaol' - 

out  with  him  in  an  In- 
itting  at  each  end — He 
i,  and  tied,  to  a  bar  of 


41 


the  canoe,  in  the  centre.  They  were  obliged 
to  watch  l)im  the  first  night.  The  next  day 
they  arrived  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Boyle,  oppo- 
site Spoon  Island,  where  he  had  stolen  the 
watch,  &.C.  It  was  near  night,  and  the  passage 
to  Kingston  difficult — They  being  strangers,  Mr. 
Boyle  told  them  if  they  would  stop  till  morn- 
ing he  would  pilot  then*  down — They  accord- 
ingly stopped,  and  having  been  up  all  the  night 
before,  Mr.  B.  said  they  had  better  lie  down 
and  get  some  rest,  and  he  would  watch  the  pri- 
soner with  bis  family.  Smith  enquired  the  way 
to  St.  John,  if  there  were  any  ferries  on  this 
side  the  river,  &,c.  and  asked  for  a  blanket  and 
luav»i  to  lie  down — Mrs.  B.  made  him  a  bed  on 
the  floor — He  then  said  he  had  occasion  to  go 
to  the  door — and  Mr.  B.  awaked  Watson,  who 
got  up  to  attend  him — Smith  told  him,  if  he  had 
any  apprehensions,  he  had  better  tie  a  rope  to 
his  arm,  which  he  did,  above  the  handcull's,  and 
holding  the  other  end  wound  round  his  hand, 
they  went  out — In  an  unwary  moment,  Smith 
seized  the  opportunity,  knocked  him  down  with 
his  handcufls,  and  wen^  off,  leaving  the  rope  in 
the  hand  of  Watson,  having  slipped  it  off  from 
his  own  hand,  tied  the  same  as  it  was  put 
on. 

The  night  being  very  dark,  no  discovery  was 
rrade  which  way  he  escaped.  The  next  morn- 
ing was  rainy — Mr.  Putnam  came  to  tlie  sheriff 
at  Kingston  with  the  report,  who  supplied  him 
with  money,  and  he  went  in  pursuit  toward  St, 
John  by  theLpng  p.each.     The  sheriff,  with 


4 


1 


-smam 


4e 


ttvo  men,  proceeded  to  Boyles'— found  lie  had 
taken  the  rout  toward  Frederickton — had  cross- 
ed the  Oaknabock  Lake  the  first  ni<;ht  in  haste  ; 
jaid  he  was  going  to  purchase  land,  and  had 
ai^reed  wfth  Putnam  and  Watson,  who  had  gone 
to  Kingston  uith  the  tisf,  to  take  him  up  in 
their  canoe  on  their  return,  and  was  to  meet 
tiiem  at  the  intervale  above  early  next  morning. 
We  had  then  no  doubt  he  was  making  his  way 
to  the  Oromucto.  the  only  remaining  passage  to 
the  United  States.  Watson  had  gone  in  pursuit 
that  way.  Being  informed  that  a  canoe  had 
been  taken  fiom  the  shore  above  where  he  had 
■  crossed  the  Lake,  and  was  found  on  the  shore  of 
the  Bellisle,  it  was  again  suggested  that  he  had 
made  his  way  toward  Nova-Scotia  on  that  rout, 
as  if  was  thought  he  would  not  return  to  Fred- 
erickton, where  he  was  known.  Pursuit  -m'ss 
xnadc  that  way,  but  we  found  no  trace  of  him. 

Nothing  more  was  heard  of  our  adv  'jret 
until  about  the  26th  of  October,  when  n  was 
found  that,  instead  of  going  off,  he  had  made 
his  way  direct  to  Frederickton.  The  first  day 
after  his  escape,  being  wet  and  cold,  he  came 
to  a  small  house,  in  a  bye  place,  where  no  one 
lived.  An  old  man.  named  Wicks,  and  his  son, 
were  there  at  work,  repairing  the  house  and  get- 
ting in  some  potatoes.  He  came  in,  wet,  cold 
and  hungry.  Wicks  told  him  he  did  not  lodge 
there,  but  if  he  would  go  with  him  to  the  next 
house  he  could  stay  all  night.  He  replied  that 
he  must  go  8  or  10  miles  further  tliat  night,  and 
went   away,   as  did  Wicks  and  his  son.     The 


next  I 

back 

wood 

seen  t 

ton. 

Mr.  V 

and   f 

sprint 

whole 

manii 

dcnso 

ry  his 

Withi 

Pattei 

or  ho 

himse 

hay, 

iiig    t! 

into  t 

crty. 

CO  nun 

he  de 

Gcnei 

acqua 

He  ai 

ninsj, 

boldlj 

pany' 

mil  h 

Ins  re 

(if  v.h 

coats. 

and  o 


»  Boyles'— found  lie  had 
''rederickton — had  cross- 
e  the  first  ni<;ht  in  hasto  ; 
purchase  land,  and  had 
d  Watson,  who  had  gone 
lif,  to  take  him  up  in 
(turn,  and  was  to  meet 
bove  early  next  mornin;;, 
he  was  making  his  way 
nly  remaining  passsige  to 
atson  had  gone  in  pursuit 
rmed  that  a  canoe  had 
lore  above  where  he  had 
was  found  on  the  shore  of 
in  suggested  that  he  had 
Nova-Scotia  on  that  rout, 
ould  not  return  to  Fred- 
as known.  Pursuit  -Mas 
\  found  no  trace  of  him. 
heard  of  our  adv  'jrev 
of  October,  when  ii  was 
going  off,  he  had  made 
lerickton.  The  first  day 
5  wet  and  cold,  he  came 
)ye  place,  where  no  one 
amed  Wicks,  and  his  son, 
pairing  the  house  and  get- 
He  came  in,  wet,  cold 
old  him  he  did  not  lodge 
I  go  with  him  to  the  next 
I  night.  He  replied  that 
es  further  tliat  night,  and 
Vicks  and  his  son.     The 


next  morning 


t  was  found  Smith  had  turned 
back  and  staid  ail  night  ;  had  liirnt  all  the 
wood  ;  roasted  a  parcel  of  potatot-s,  and  was 
seen  at  day  light,  travelling  low.rd  Frederick- 
ton.  The  next  night  he  came  to  rlie  house  of  a 
Mr.  Wilmot,  where,  it  appeared,  he  went  in, 
and  finding  a  washing  of  linen  clothes,  just 
sprinkled  Tor  ironing,  he  made  seizure  of  the 
whole,  together  with  a  coat  belonging  to  a  young 
man  in  the  bouse,  and  finding  them  rather  bur- 
densome, took  a  horse,  saddle  and  bridle,  to  car- 
ry his  load,  and  proceeded  on  his  journey. 
Within  two  miles  of  Fredcrickton  lived  Jack 
Patterson,  a  mulatto  man,  who  had  a  barrack 
or  hovel  full  of  Hay — Here  Smith  concealed 
himself  and  his  booty,  giving  his  horse  some 
hay,  and  letting  him  run  upon  the  common  dur- 
ing the  day,  at  night  catching  him  and  riding 
into  town  in  the  full  fruition  of  unrestrained  lib- 
erty. Thus  he  continued  for  several  days, 
committing  frequent  depredations.  At  length 
he  determined  to  pay  a  visit  to  the  Attorney- 
General,  about  three  miles  above,  where  he  was 
acquainted,  iMving  stopt  there  on  his  way  down. 
He  arrived  between  8  and  9  o'clock  in  the  eve- 
ninsj,  and  knowing  the  form  of  the  house,  went 
boldly  into  the  hall.  There  being  much  com- 
pany in  at  the  lime,  his  modc^v  would  not  per- 
mit him  to  intrude  amongst  tliem,  but  he  paid 
Ins  respects  to  their  loose  garments,  the  whole 
{if  v.hich  he  carried  otf,  consisting  of  five  great- 
coats, three  plaid  cloaks,  tippets,  comforters, 
Slid  otiier  articles.     He   returned   through  th« 


M<"  WH  MyiipW'lJl  W  'I  .i^<» «,  «W  I.  .-Wf  W  ■ 


I  fll^ J 'IRJHW' '(- 


44 


town  to  liis  Joposit.  Having  made  a  fine  booty 
at  the  Attorney  General's,  he  ga\  e  his  horse  a 
lar^e  allowance  of  hay,  that  he  might  the  more 
willingly  stay  by  him  for  the  next  night's  ser- 
vice ;  but,  unfortunately  for  him,  his  generosi- 
ty to  his  horse,  led  to  his  discovery.  The  ne- 
gro seeing  the  hay  lying  in  an  unusual  manner 
out  of  Ihe  window  of  bis  barrack,  supposed  that 
some  person  had  been  in  to  sleep  ;  and  going 
in,  found  Smith  lying  in  the  hay,  with  a  white 
comforter  or  tippet  about  his  neck,  and  seeing 
him  a  stranger,  asked  him  where  he  came  from  : 
he  said,  from  the  Kennebeccasis,  and  was  go- 
ing after  land,  had  got  belated,  and  bad  slept  in 
his  hay  ;  he  hoped  it  was  no  harm — but  on  the 
negro  going  to  the  house.  Smith  slipped  out  of 
the  window  and  made  toward  the  woods — The 
mulatto  supposing  him  a  deserter,  called  for 
iielp,  and  soon  apprehended  him,  as  ho  did  not 
appear  to  make  much  exertion  to  escape.  It 
was  soon  discovered  who  he  was,  and  he  was 
committed  to  gaol  at  Frederickton.  The  mulat- 
to not  finding  the  tippet  with  him  that  he  saw 
about  his  neck,  was  induced  to  look  in  the  bay 
for  it,  and  thus  discovered  Ihe  secret  deposit, 
,  which  contained*  all  the  articles  mentioned,  and 
many  more,  which  the  owners  had  Ihe  good  for- 
tune to  recover,  JJe  gave  them  no  satisfaction  ; 
said  a  soldier  brought  them  there  in  the  night, 
and  rode  a  little  black  horse,  and  lelt  the  saddle 
and  bridle. 

He  was    then   ordered    to  be  taken    by  the 
Sheriff  of  York,  and  safely  delivered  to   the 


ID 

an 
on 
fa; 
hii 
tei 
on 
ho 
ha 

oa 

ini 
mi 
tk< 
po 

UK 
thi 
th< 

thi 

in 
wl 

COi 

tlu 
fvc 

S's 
\\\ 
no 

ma 
he 

ce; 

Fn 


t  -f-"^     '- 


Jl    I  li  !»MH 


aving  made  a  fine  booty 
il's,  he  ga\  e  his  horse  a 
thnt  he  might  the  more 
for  the  next  night's  scr- 
f  for  him,  his  generosi- 
is  discovery.  The  ne- 
;  in  an  unusual  manner 
1  barrack,  supposed  that 
in  to  sleep  ;  and  going 
I  the  hay,  with  a  white 
It  his  neck,  and  seeing 
m  where  he  came  from  : 
sbeccasis,  and  was  go- 
slated,  and  had  slept  in 
as  no  harm — but  on  the 
I,  Smith  slipped  out  ot 
oward  the  woods — The 
a  deserter,  called  for 
ided  him,  as  ho  did  not 
exertion  to  escape.  It 
o  he  was,  and  he  was 
derickton.  The  mulat- 
wilh  him  that  he  saw 
need  to  look  in  the  bay 
;red  the  secret  deposit, 
articles  mentioned,  and 
wners  had  liie  s^ood  for- 
ve  them  no  satisfaction  ; 
lem  there  in  the  night, 
jfse,  and  left  the  saddle 

(d    to  1)6  taken    by  the 
afely  delivered  to   the 


id 

Sheriff  in  the  gaol  of  King's  County.  Accord- 
ingly, the  Sheriff  prepared  for  his  safe  convey- 
ance, an  iron  collar  made  of  a  tiat  bar  of  iron, 
one  inch  and  a  half  wide,  with  a  hinge  and  claspv 
fastened  with  a  padlock,  which  be  put  around 
his  neck,  with  a  chain  about  ten  feet  long  fas- 
tened to  it ;  put  a  strong  pair  of  handcuffs  up- 
on his  han^s  ;  and  with  the  negro  Patterson 
holding  the  chain  (^after  $earching  to  tee  that  he 
had  no  saw*  or  other  in$trvmentt  about  him,)  sat 
off  with  him  on  board  a  sloop,  and  the  wind  be- 
ing favorable,  arrived  safe  at  Kingston,  sixty 
miles  distant,  about  12  o'clock,  on  the  night  of 
tie  30th  October,  1814.  He  appeared  as  com- 
posed as  if  nothing  bad  happened.  The  next 
morning  we  took  him  to  the  gaol,  where  he  was 
the  first  man  that  entered,  knowing  perfectly 
the  way. 

The  room  had  been  swept  clean  of  every 
thing,  and  searched' closely  after  his  escape  ; 
in  doi^iyirhich,  we  found  the  remains  of  several 
wheelsWa  watch,  the  barrel  in  particular,  that 
contained  the  main-spring,  which  convinced  us 
thai  he  had  procured  it  while  he  w<p  in  gaol, 
from  the  young  man  that  took  away  the  spy- 
glass, with  the  iutcution  of  effecting  his  escape. 
Wa  also  found  a  knife,  wMch  Im  had  cut  in  two, 
no  doubt  with  a  saw  which  he  had  made  of  the 
raain-spjing,  which  gave  us  strong  suspicion  that 
he  must  have  saws  about  him,  probably  con- 
cealed in  his  clothes. 

Mr.  Barton  had  searched  him  before  he  left 
Frederick  ton.     yowcver,  I  took  off  h^s  handcuff* 


46 


k 


nnJ  oiJcrcd  him  to  strip  off  his  clothes,  which 
he  did  without  the  least  reluttaiicr,  to  his  «hirt. 
We  then  searched  tho  sleeves,  wristhands  and 
collar  of  his  shirt,  and  the  hair  of  his  head,  that 
we  might  be  sure  that  he  did  not  brins  the  smull- 
csi  thing  toeffecl  his  escape  again — We  then  put 
on  hitn  other  clothes,  and  took  and  carried  out  of 
the  gaol  all  the  clothes  he  had  on  bJm  when  he 
came,  hat,  shoes,  and  every  article  that  he 
brought  with  him. 

The  prison  in  which  he  was  confined,  was 
22  by  16  feet,  built  of  stone  and  lime,  wall  three 
feet  thick  on  three  sides;  the  other  side,  being 
the  partition  wall  between  the  tvpo  prison  room*, 
was  timber,  twelve  inches  thick,  lathed  and 
plastered  on  both  sides  ;  the  prison  plastered 
with  lime  on  every  part  ;  the  floor  was  of  tim- 
ber ten  inches  square,  on  which  rested  the  side 
walls  ;  the  door  was  of  two  inch  plank,  made 
double,  and  lined  with  sheet  iron,  hung  on  three 
iron  bar  hinges,  three  and  a  half  inchjtt  wide, 
clasping  over  staples  in  the  opposite  pflst,  and 
secured  with  three  pa-dlocks,  with  a  sm.-dlliron 
wicket  d4or,  secured  also  with  a  padlock — 
Tbe»e  was  one  window  through  the  stone  wall. 
iron  grated  twithin  and  without,  enclosed  with 
glass  o|il.iid*j  so  that  no  conveyance  could  be 
had  undiscovere'd — The  passage  that  leads  to 
the  dooi,  is  about  twenty  feet  in  length,  and 
three  feet  in  width,  secured  at  the  entrance  by 
a  padlock  on  the  door  ;  the  outside  door, also  so 
locked,  that  no  communication  could  be  had, 
without  going  through  three  iloors,  the  keys  o'i 


TV 

hi 
b 

CI 

S] 

o 

t< 

i< 
c 
c 

< 


^,.      yW^Ak.»      i^.    »-^ 


off  Ills  clothes,  which 
iluttuijcr,  to  his  «hirt. 
eves,  wristhands  and 
'  hair  of  his  head,  that 
id  not  brint;  the  sntiL-ll- 
e  again — We  then  put 
took  and  carried  out  of 
I  had  on  bim  when  he 
t'ery    article    that   he 

ic  was  confined,  was 
le  and  lime,  wall  three 
the  other  side,  being 
the  two  prison  room*, 
es  thick,  lathed  and 
the  prison  plastered 
the  floor  was  of  tim- 
which  rested  the  side 
wo  inch  plank,  made 
eet  iron,  hung  on  three 
1  a  half  inchju  wide, 
lie  opposite  pflst,  and 
cks,  with  a  sm.-rilliroa 
so  with  a  padlock — 
hrough  the  slone  wall, 
vithout,  enclosed  with 
I  conveyance  could  be 
passage  that  leads  to 
'  feet  in  length,  and 
ed  at  the  entrance  by 
he  outside  door, also  so 
lication  could  be  had, 
iree  (loors,  the  keys  ol 


47     . 

cllnly  strict  ;  no  person  was  pernutted  to 

^^  h'th-a^iTuation,  I  put  on  him  an  iron  shackle 
on  L  right  le,,  with  a  chain  ,ust  long  enou  h 

to  reach  ihe  necessary,  »"  V",  ?f„'^ .'  Cher 
ions  from  the  wicket  door,  stapled    n  the  tm^cr 
of  the  floor  near  tlie  partition  wall,    so    hat  lie 
:d  not  come  to  thS  S-tes  oMhe  w.ndow  by 
f.„»  nr  «iic  fret  •  and-  a  owed   hnn  a   bunk  wim 
.  suaw  a  d  b   ikets  to  sleep  on-After  these  pre- 
cautTons"    he  was  thought  perfectly   safe      Hs 
wr"ts  being  much  swelled,   took  off  h,s  hand- 
Tuffs     to  d^he  gaoler  to  look  to  h.m  frequency 
at  the'  wicket  door,   and  see  that  be   remained 
'eJure   and  that  I  would  visit  him  occas.ona  ly 
^The  gaoler  always  found  bim  silt.ng  up  in  lus 
bir'h  relding,  or  lying  down,  and  made  no  com - 
niaints.     1    visited    him  once  or  twice  a  week, 
and  ta  see  that   his  fetters  and  cham  remained 
^ecue,  ordered  him  to  come  to  the  door,  which 
he  always  did,  without  any   reluctance.     He 
appea^d^omfortable,  andsatisfjed  w.  hh.ssit- 

uaSon,  without  saying  a  word  about  the  ate  ol 
Sole.     Under  thise  circumstances,  I  be^an 

to^calculate  that  wc  ^h°'?M>'=^lV''"^i;tilV 
until  a  Court  would  be^of|»red  for  tis  trial, 
without  any  material  difficulty. 

On  the  twelfth  day,  alter  his  confinement, 
was  informed  that  Mr.  Newm.n  Perkins  heard 


I 


(I 


amigimiiimmimk 


».||'r«ii»ii«»%i 


•t^ota 


dua 


48 

a  strangr  noise  in  the  ni^hJ,  wl.iel.  induced  him 
'o  believe  that  Smith  was  at  work  at  thegra^" 
-On  enqu.ry,  Mrs.  Pericins  said  she  had  C 
a  no,se.|ilce  rubhing  or  filing   late    „  the  nil, 

"•ought  she   drscovered    it   to  be  at  the  saol 
«^l..ch  appeared  to  me   altogether    in.probaWe 

^^possibility  of  his  having  any  thing  to  work 
w  tb.     I  went  immediately  to  the  gaSl-MoTos 

Dih  T'  '"^K  '^»^°'°"<J.  Allen  Baston  Mr 
D.bblee  and  others,  were  with  me-it  wa  then 
evening,  and  we  had  two  or  three  candTes~tbe 
.gaoler  opening  the  door,  we  went  in  and  found 
'^  '"U.  lying  ,„  his  birtb,  chained,  just  as  I  left 

out  yet— He  answered  No,  not  a.  ite      I  ilw.n 

possible  ,  as  did  also  every  one  present    a^in 
jnd  again,  until  we  v^ere  satisfied  fhTalarm  S 

readily  any   question    asked  him.     Mr.    Allen 

graie.      i  here  bad  been  observed  by  all  a  small 
c  -plying  on  one  of  the  flat  bars  of  L  ^te 

J-Mr.  Baston  being  fully  satisfied  in  viewing 
he  inner  gratei,    bis  fancy   led  him  to   reach 

grates    ,„  doing  ^,  he  perceived  it  to  bane 

i^  ':,;*^"'^7«'-^<J  ♦^«  ''"  of  the  grate  cut  one' 
li'^iJ  off,  andcoacealed  with  the  feather  edge 


of 

inj 

tbi 

so< 

ba 

hi! 

it 

ed 

nij 

th( 

wi 

tat 

kn 

ani 

ho 

sli{ 

hai 

wli 

lin 

1 

sai 

hci 

bu: 

lici 

tlia 

sor 

fou 

.'{ra 

at 

too 

nee 

V02 


j^iliBBiaMitiiiir  iir  nffii  i   janrir 


>«,  wliieii  induced  him 
at  work  at  tlie  grates 
ins  said  siie  had  beard 
ing  late  in  the  night. 
It  of  the  window,  she 
'   to  be  at  the  gaol ; 
Ojielher    improbable, 
he  prisoner,  and  the 
;  any  thing  to  work 
'  to  the  gaol — Mosos 
Allen  Baston,   Mr. 
rith  me— it  was  then 
r  three  candles — the 
went  in,  and  found 
lained,  just  as  I  left 
'.  you   have  not  got 
not  q.  ite.     [   then 
;rates,  as  strictly  as 
one  present,  again 
sfied  the  alarm  must 
5  quiet,    answering 
J  I'im.     Mr.    Allen 
searching  theinner 
rved  by  all,  a  small 
>t  bars  of  the  outer 
n  there  accidental- 
satisfied  in  viewing 
led  him  to  reach 
on  one  of  the  outer 
erceived  it  to  hang 
rther  examination, 
r  the  grate  cut  one 
h  the  feather  edge 


49 


of  tile  chip,  which  .istonishcil  all  present,  know- 
ing it  could  not  be  done  without  fintt  getting 
through  the  inner  grates  ;  on  proving  tvhicli,  we 
soon  found  that  he  had  so  neatly  cut  one  of  the 
bars,  that  he  could  take  it  out  and  replace  it,  n\ 
his  pleasure,  and  conceal  it  in  such  a  way,  that 
it  could  not  be  observed  ;  and  would  undoubt- 
edly have  completed  his  escape  in  two  or  three 
nights  more.  I  then  asked  him  what  he  cut 
the  grate  with  ;  he  answered  with  indi^ercncc, 
with  this  saw  and  thisjile  ;  and  without  any  hesi- 
tation, handed  to  me  out  of  his  birth,  a  case 
knife,  steel  blade,  cut  in  fine  teeth  very  neatly, 
and  a  common  hand-saw  file.  1  then  .-*  cl  him 
how  he  got  to  the  grates,  and  whetin  ihe  had 
slipped  the  shackle  off  his  foot — He  said  No,  he 
had  cut  the  chain ;  and  calmly  shewed  me 
where  be  had  cut  the  chain  in  the  joint  of  the 
links,  where  it  could  not  be  readily  discovered. 
(  tlii:n  asked  him  where  he  got  his  tools — he 
said  he  left  them  when  he  went  away  from 
here  ;  and  that  they  were  all  the  tools  he  had — 
but  we  perceived  from  the  shape  of  Ihe  knife, 
lining  so  much  thicker  on  the  back  than  the  edge, 
tliat  the  bars  were  qever  cut  so  nicely  without 
some  other  tool  ;  and  on  a  strict  search,  we 
found  in  a  broken  place  of  the  wall,  near  the 
.<;r.ites,  a  neat  watch-spring  saw,  with  a  string 
at  one  end.  I  asked  bim  who  gave  him  those 
tools  ;  with  great  indifierence  he  answered,  yoti 
need  not  auk  me  that  agaifi,for  I  never  mil  tell 
you. 
^  I  then  rynewcd  the  chain  to  his  leg,  put  the 


4 


'  "•^- •'•■'•  -^-    *ft^i  r  ■"-Uriai 


"*•»*■ ',:'»?^,' 


m 


[ 


lion  collar  about  his  neck,  and  stapled  the  chain 
to  the  lloor,  with  a  heavy  pair  of  handcuffs, 
with  7-H  bolt,  on  his  wrists,  all  of  which  he  re- 
ceived very  willingly.  After  searching  his  bed. 
and  clothes,  we  le#t  him,  on  Saturday  niglit 
about  eleven  o'clock.  Sunday,  at  four  o'clock, 
I  was  at  the  gaol;  the  gaoler  informed  me  he 
was  lying  in  his  birth,  with  all  his  irons  on,  had 
been  enquiring  if  the  Sheriflf  was  not  coming  to 
examin9.his  chains.  About  twelve  '>'<:lock  the 
same  night,  I  was  alarmed  by  a  n...  i  sent  by 
the  gaoler,  informing  me,  that  Smith  had  got 
loose  from  all  his  irons,  had  got  through  the  in- 
ner grate,  was  clotting  the  outer  grate,  and  bail 
nearly  escaped.  By  the  vigilance  and  attention 
of  Mr.  Dibblee,  the  gaoler,  be  was  discove»ed 
to  be  at  work,  about  ten  o'clock  at  night ;  who, 
by  silently  moving  towards  the  prison,  got  to 
the  dooru,idiscovered,  and  with  a  candle  at  the 
end  of  a  stick  of  a  yard  long,  in  an  instant  open- 
ed the  wicket  doer  and  shoved  the  light  itlto  the 
gaol,  while  Smith  was  yet  at  work  ;  the  gaoler 
ordered  him  to  leave  every  thing,  and  go  to  his 
birth  ;  he  very  calmly  complied  ;  but  returned 
suddenly  to  the  grates,  which  were  in  a  situa- 
tion out  of  the  sight  of  the  gaoler,  and  then  went 
quickly  to  the  necessary,  and  threw  something 
down,  which  the  gaoler  heard,  and  then  w«otto 
lii&  oed  ;  the  gaoler  watthing  him  until  the  Sher- 
iff came. 

On  going  into  the  gaol,  I  found  he  had  extri- 
cated himself  from  all  bis  irons,  had  got  through 
tlie  inner  grates,    with  all  lis  clothes,  and  was 


hai 
his 
Sni 
doi 
doi 
cai 
dh 

exi 
be 
re  I 

joi 
loi 
ha 
ail 

sc 
toi 
da 


in 
en 
bi 
in 
w 
tr 
th 
re 
b( 
w 
hi 
h 


,ifi#.A-i  I  !->    >-JL 


PJJUfK'ip^' 


i,  and  stapled  the  chain 
,vy  pair  of  handcuffs, 
sts,  all  of  which  he  re- 
After  searching  his  bed. 
n,  on  Saturday  night 
unday,  at  four  o'clock, 
aoler  informed  me  he 
th  all  his  irons  on,  had 
eriflf  was  not  coming  to 
out  twelve  o'clock  the 
ned  by  a  n...  i  sent  by 
;,  that  Smith  had  got 
had  got  through  the  in- 
le  outer  grate,  and  had 

vigilance  and  attention 
ler,  be  was  discove»ed 
o'clock  at  night ;  who, 
irds  the  prison,  got  to 
nd  with  a  candle  at  the 
ong,  in  an  instant  open- 
hoved  the  light  into  the 
et  at  work  ;  the  gaoler 
ery  thing,  and  go  to  his 
omplied  ;  but  returned 

which  were  in  a  situa- 
e  gaoler,  and  then  went 
,  and  threw  something 
heard,  and  then  went  to 
;hing  him  until  the  Sher- 

1, 1  found  he  had  extri- 
i  irons,  had  got  thiough 
ill  liis  clothes,  and  wa» 


51 

in  the  act  of  cutting  the  outer  grates,  which  he 
had  cut  two  thirds  off,  and  would  have  effected 
his  escape  before  day  light.  I  said  to  him, 
Smith,  you  keep  at  work  ;  he  said  that  he  had 
done  work  now  ;  and  that  ^11  his  tools  were 
down  the  neceisary— which,  by  letting  down  a" 
candle,  was  strictly  seaiched,  but  nothing  was 
discovered. 

He  was  then  stript  of  every  rag  of  clothing, 
except  his  shirt,  which  were  searched,gfevery 
hem  and  seam  ;  his  birth  knocked  all  in^ieces. 
removed  out  of  the  gaol,  and  searched  in  every- 
joint  and  tplit,  and  the  room  swept  critically, 
"for  watch-spring  saws,  which  we  suspected  he 
had  ;  but  discovered  none — We  then  replaced 
all  bis  chains  with  padlocks,  put  on  a  pair  of 
screw  handcuffs,  wliich  confined  his  hands  c^e 
together  ;  and  left  him,  at  foHr  o'clock  on  flJoS- 
day  morning. 

;  On  Monday,  Mr.  John  Jarvis,  blacksmith, 
"^d  mended  the  grates,  and  came  to  put  them 
in.  We  found.Smith  lying  on  the  floor,  appar- 
ently in  the  same  situation  that  we  had  left  him  ; 
but  ou  examining  his  handcuffs,  found  them  cut 
in  two,  and  that  he  could  put  them  oR  and  ou 
when  he  pleased.  Being  asked  why  he  des- 
troyed his  handcuffs  ;  he  said  they  were  so  stiff 
thatjgpbody  could  wear  them.  No  dp^bt  then 
remained  that  be  must  have  saws  concjealed  a- 
bout  his  body.  Doctor  Paddock  being  present, 
was  requested  to  examine  him.  He  stript  off 
his  clothes  without  any  reluctance,  and  on  tak- 
ing off  his  shirt,  Jhe  Doctor  discovered   a  mus- 


"«'ty 


.i 


.«5 


iK. 


. ^J»  4.*^  J.    :j...,    r».»i 


K   tiriTir>IM»»l>» 


II  lii    >     II  IHII 


52 


Jill  strip,  tied  about  his  thigh,  close  to  his  bod^r, 
so  hard  that  it  could  not  be  discoversfd  by  rub- 
bing the  hand  over  it,  w^hich  concealed  on  the 
inside  of  hiaP"  left  thigh,  a  fine  steel  saw  plate, 
two  inches  wide,  and  ten  inches  long,  with  teeth 
*tut  on  both  edges  ;  no  doubt  of  his  own  make. 
After  this  discovery,  wc  put  on  him  a  light  pair 
of  handcuffs,  and  secured  his  chains  with  pad- 
locks, and  set  four  men  to  watch  him  the  whole 
night% 

ThOThext  day  Tbad  the  inner  grate  secured 
with  bard  bricks,  filling  the  squares  of  the  grates, 
and  wedging  them  hehind  ;  and  the  space  be- 
tween the  grates  was  filled  !ioIid  with  brick, 
'line  and  sand,  leaving  only  one  aperture  at  the 
:ipper  corner,  five  by  four  inches,  with  a  square 
o||ttiss  plastered  with  lime  iA  -!.►.  .niddle,  there 
bflhg  glass  also  in  the  sash  without,  which  pre- 
vented all  possible  conveyance  to  him  undiscov- 
ired.  This  aperture  through  a  wall  three  fe< 
thick,  conveyed  little  or  no  light,  and  left  tU, 
com  a  complete  dungeon,  so  that  he  could  not 
oe  discovered  from  the  door  at  any  time  of  day 
without  a  candle  ;  and  we  never  afier  went  in- 
to the  gaol  without  two  candles,  and  three  or 
four  men. 

On  the  13th  Nov.  I  addressed  a  letter  to 
Judge  Chiproan,  and  received  the  folloniuff^an- 
swer !    *  W 

r*^      „        , ,  Sr.  JoHH,  Niv.  14, 1814. 

UBAii  hi«— I  have  receivedjrour  letter  of  yesteldny'A 
f»te,  relating  to  the  new  attempt  of  H.  M.  Si„ith  to  iA 
"ftPC-^J  have  forwarded  the  »amc  to  Frrdcrirkton.     f 


soon  I 

'•IlinfC 

Nova 

bfifon 

eilant 

liim; 

itythi 

pose. 

\ 
w< 

and  f 
the  pi 
bad  b 
to  hat 
he  w 
would 
shouli 
I  t 
as  pos 
well 

cbai 
:hain 
hack! 
lis  hai 

11  le  H 
ithou 
he  b 
them,  j 
to  be 
will  h; 
and  be 
plied,  < 
pvt  it 


Jk% 


2 


high,  close  to  his  Lod^r, 
t  be  discover^]  by  rub- 
v,hich  con<:eaied  on  the 

a  fine  steel  saw  plate, 
ti  inches  long,  with  teeth 
doubt  of  his  own  make. 

put  on  him  a  light  pair 
d  his  chains  with  pad- 
to  watch  him  the  whole 

:he  inner  grate  secured 
he  squares  of  the  grates, 
nd  ;  and  the  space  be- 
(illed  yolid  with  brick, 
)nly  one  aperture  at  the 
jr  inches,  with  a  square 
me  iA  -n»,  .niddle,  there 
ish  without,  which  pre- 
;yance  to  hira  undiscov- 
rough  a  wall  three  fe^ 

no  light,  and  left  t 
1,  so  that  he  could  no? 
loor  at  any  time  of  day 
ve  never  after  went  in- 
candles,   and   three  or 

addressed  a  letter  to 
eived  the  followiiuran- 

r.  JoHw,  Niv.  14, 1814. 
sd your  letter  of  jestetdaj'* 
impt  of  H.  M.  Si«ith  to  tA 

»aiBC  to  Frrderirkton.     1' 


53 

^rj"-***"**  l"^""'-*^'"  be  ordered  for  hiHriaJ  ,, 
,r.  rr  ^^  '''■^':«^»ble  from  <he  state  of  the  Irav- 
Hlinp,  and  the  necessity  of  procuring  the  witness  fr?l 
Nova-Scota,  though,  1  »hoL  Bup^.^  pr^  "ubl  3* 
before  the,ce  makes.  In  the  mean  time  tteutmo^t  It 
plance  and  precaution  must  be  made  u4  of  to  "ecu re 
bun  ;  and  you  will  be  justified  in  any  measures  of  sever 
.ty  that  you  may  find  it  necessary  to  adoj  b  mTZ'. 
,.oso.    I  am,  dear  s,r,  very  faithiblly  yours,  ^       , 

W.Bates,  Esq.  \V.  c'I^PMA^. 

Wednesday  Nov.  16th-vrent  into  tbe^Raol 
and  found  he  had  injured  the  room  by  beati„R 
the  plaister  off  the  partition  wall  with  his  chain  • 
had  broken  one  of  the  padlocks,  and  appeared 
to  have  been  loose  ;  seemed  very  vicious ;  said 
he  would  burn  and  destroy  the  building;  he 
>vouldfl.ake  It  smoke  before  he  left  it,  and  wa 
should  see  it.  ,  a.u  nv 

I   then  determined  to  confine  him  as  rigidly 
as  poS8ibl6,.and  procured  a  pair  of  steel  fetters 
«'ell  case-hardened,  about  ten  inches  Ion/,  with 
1  cTiain  from  the  middle  stapled  to  the  floor  •  a 
bam  from    the  neck  collar  to  the  fetters  :  the 
hackles  around  both  his  legs  well  riveted  ;  and 
"3  handcuffs  riveted  to  the  chain  from  his  neck. 
U.e  whole  of  the  irons  and  chains  he  received 
ithout  showing  the  least  reluctance  or  concern, 
the  blacksmith,  after  he  had  finished   riveline 
hem,sai*tohim,  "  Smith,  I  would  advise  you 
to  be  quirt  after  this,  for   if  y^  are    not  you 
will  have  an  iron  band  put  rouWd  your  bodv 
and  be  stalled  fast  to  the  floor"— He  calmly  re' 
plied,  Old  man,  ij  you  are  not  satisfied,  yo»^nau 
put  It  on  nora—l  do  not  regard  it— if  you  will 


i 


*^i^' 


0 


I 


» 


m^ 


1 


Ut  m  have  my  hands  loose,   you  may  put  on  as 
much  iron  as  you  please. 

n  tuH  situation,   loaded  with  irons    w.thout 
any  thing  to  sit  or  lie  upon  but  the  naked  floo  , 
h/was  m.t  the  least  humbled,  hut  gre«r  exceed- 
in.  noisy  and  vicious.  8«ein.ngly  very  sp.tcfu! 
^theg3oler,   who.  .n  return    hav.ne  had    o 
Such  trouble  with  him.   showed  h.pi  t.ut  l.ttle 
Svour  or  compassion.  •  He  soon  began  to  roar 
and  "rave  with  madness,  and  would  take  ht  le  or 
no  notice  of  any  thing  said  to  h.m.    somet.„,es 
hallooing,  praying  and  repeating  texts  of  scrip 
ture,   till  at  l/nglh  he  appeared   to  g.ve  h,„ 
self  up  to  despair-his  boasted  strength  and  .n 
eenuity  seemed  now  to  fail  him,  when,  with  a 
fremendou.  voice,  he  would  cry    ut  m  a  stran. 

like  the  following  :  

O  thou  cruel  devils !  »hou  murderers  !  man- 
slavers  !  thou  to^nentors  of  man  '.  How  I  burnf 
o  beTevenged  !  Help  I  help  !  help  !  Lord  help 
me  to    be  tvengedof   these  devils -help    mej 
Sat  1  may    -ar  up  this  place  I  that  I  may  tun 
it  upside  down !  that  the  re  may  not  be  one  stic 
of  it  left  !  My  hair  shall  not  be  shorn,    nor  n\ 
nails  cut,  till    I   grow  as    strong    as   Sampsoir 
then  will  1  be  avenged  of  all  my  tnem.es  !  Help 
helD  '.  O  Lord  help  me  to  destroy  these  tormen 
tors  •.  these  murderers  of  roan  I  tormenting  mc 
in  chains  and  4»rkness  !  (Hallooing  and  shout- 
ing^ Darkness!  Darkness'.  O  darkn^s  !-Not 
liltit  to   read  the  word  of  God  !  Not^ne  word 
•ot- comfort  from  any  one  '.  All  is,  you  rogue,  you 
thief,  you  villain  !  you  deserve  to  be  h  nge.l  \ 


-No 

darl 

ble 

hav 

for 

sus 

hov 

fen 

anc 

— ] 

sou 

sid 

tro 

unl 

the 

wi! 

mj 

is 

CO 

an 
de 
fc: 
lif 

N. 
et 

(^ 

til 


64 

loose,   you  may  put  on  as 

oaded  with  irons,  without 
.  upon  but  the  naked  floor, 
liumbkd,  but  grew  exceed- 
,  seemingly  very  spiteful 
13  return,  having  had  so 
im,  showed  hijn  but  little 
I.  -  He  soon  began  to  roar 
ss,  and  would  take  little  or 
ig  said  to  him,    sometimes 
!»d  repeating  texts  of  scrip- 
lie  appeared   to  give  him- 
lis  boasted  strength  and  in- 
r  to  fail  him,  when,   with  a 
e  would  cry    ut  in  a  strain 

ils  !  »hou  murderers  !  man 
;nt(n-s  of  man  '.  How  1  burn 
elp  1  help  !  help  !  Lord  help 
of   these  devils  !  help    me, 
this  place  !  that  1  may  turc 
at  the  re  may  not  be  one  stick 
shall  not  be  shorn,    nor  mj 
DW  as    strong    as   Sampsorir, 
;ed  of  all  my  enemies  !  Help 
I  me  to  destroy  these  tormen 
rers  of  man  I  tormenting  nu- 
nes8  !  (Hallooing  and  shout- 
arkness !  O  darkni^  '.—Not 
word  of  God  I  Not^ne  word 
f  one  '.  All  is,  you  rogue,  you 
you  deserve  to  be  h-ngt-d  I 


■i:»'/r»5iaj!PffT- 


55 

^o  pity — not  one  woid  of  consolation  1  AW 
darkness !  All  trouble  !  (singing)  Trouble,  trou- 
ble; trouble,  trouble O  God  !  help  me,  and 

have  mercy  on  ftie  !  1  fear  there  is  no  mercy 
for  mt  ! Yes  !  thfiiH!  is  mercy  !  It  is  in  Je- 
sus, whose  arms  stand  open  to  receive  me  !  but 
how  shall  I  dare  to  look  to  him  whom  I  have  of- 
fended !  Then  he  would    call  upon  his  parents, 
and  deprecate  his  wicked  life  ;  then  rave  again 
—Murderers!  Tormentors!  Consider  you  have 
souls  to  lose  as  well  as  I,  a  poor  prisoner  !  Con- 
sider you  have  children  that  may  be  brought  ta 
trouble  as   well  as  ne  !  Consider   I   have  par- 
ents !   If  they  knew  my  situation  it  would  kill 
them  !— My  wife  !  Begone  from  my  sight !  why 
,vill  you  tcrment  me  !  It  is  for  you  I    sUflfcr  al 
my  sorrow  !    It  is  for  you  my  heart  bleeds !    It 
is  for  you  only  is  all  my  trouble  !— Not  a  fncnil 
comes  to  see  me  ;  nothing  before   mc    but  pain 
and   sorrow,  chains  and  darkness,    misery  and 
death  :  O  wretched  me  !  how  long  am  I  to,auf- 
for  in  this   place  of  torment  !  Am  I  to  hnger  a 
life  of  pain   and  sorrow  in  chains  and  misery  . 
Ko !  I  will  cut  the  thread  of  life,  and  be  reliev- 
ed from    this   place   of  darkness   and  trouble  J 
fsiiii!;ine)  trouble,  trouble,  trouble,  a  thousand 
tin.es  rcpentt;d.     He  continued  in   this  strain  a 
considerable  time,  and  would  no*  answer  when 
spoken  to,  or  take  the  least  notice  of  any  one 
p(r8^ent,  unl'   he  grew  very  hoarse,  and  at  last 
he  lekoff  aj'tokivs at  all,  on  any  occasion. 
'     The  weather  growing  cold,  I  allowed  him  his 
uunk  agniri,  aii-.l  made  him   a  comlbit*blc  bed. 


^ 


**,' 


66 

He  made  one  attempt  to  hang  himstlf,  by  mak^ 
ing  a  rope  out  of  his  blankets,  which  were  taken 
from  him.     He  then  attempted,  for  three  or  four 
days,  to  starve  himself,   but  gave  that  over. — 
He  lay  in  his  bed  most  of  the  lime,  day  and 
night,,  without  committing  any  act  of  violence, 
until  the  16th  of  December,  when,  on  going  into 
the  prison,  I  found  he  had  broken  the  iron  col- 
lar from  his  neck,  and  drr  dn  the  staple  f«6m  the 
timber,  returning  it  sligl.ily  to  its  place,  so  that 
it  would    not  be    readily  discovered.     On  the 
17th,  1  put  a  chain  about  lais  necii  and  stapled 
him  to  the   floor,  in  a  situation  to  prevent  him 
from    reaching  either  of  the   staples.     In    this 
situation,  his  wrists  being  galled  by  his.jprevi- 
ous  exertions,  and  very  much  swelled  apd  sore, 
he  remained  more  quiet,  hallooing  occasionally, 
until  January   15th— The  weather  being  very 
cold  at  this  season,  and  having  no  fire,   he  was 
in  danger  of  freezing.     I   took  off  all  his  ifcns 
except  his  fetters  and  handcutTs,  fo«,  which  relief 
he  showed  not  the  least  thankfulness  or  acknowl- 
edgement, but  grew  more  noisy   and    trouble- 
some,   especially  at  nignt,  so  much  so  that  no 
sleep    could   be  had  for    the  strange  noises  he 
would  make— not  like  the  human  voice,  but  by 
such   tremendous    screeches   anvl    bowlings   as 
were    never,  heard  before,  without  uttering   a 
word.     In  this  uianner  he  continued  five  months, 
conmiilting  many  outrages  upon  hitpself  and*hi'* 
chains,  doing  laany  curious  and  astonishing  acts, 
as  will  be   related,    and  during   all  which  lime 
he  couhl  7ievm k:^provol-cd  or  rurprlrcrl  In  speaL 


5iJ 


» 
a 
a 
1 
ii 
^ 
C 
b 

o 
it 

ii 

si 
e 

b 

ai 

F 

a 
b 
o 
a: 

8t 

h 

ii 

ai 
w 

P 
a 

w 

c 

n 


56 

to  hang  himsfclf,  by  mak* 
lankets,  which  were  taken 
(tempted,  for  three  or  four 
If,  but  gave  that  over. — 
ost  of  the  litne,  iay  and 
itting  any  act  of  violence, 
mber,  when,  on  going  into 

had  broken  the  iron  col- 
I  drr  >n  the  staple  ftpm  the; 
ligl.rly  to  its  place,  so  that 
dily  difccovered.  On  the, 
iljout  his  necii  and  stapled 
1  situation  to  prevent  him 

of  the  staples.  In  this 
being  galled  by  his  previ- 
•y  much  swelled  and  sore, 
iet,  hallooing  occasionally, 
-The  weather  being  very 
md  having  no  fire,  he  was 
.  I  took  off  all  his  irons 
handcuffs,  foi^  which  relief 
Bt  IhankfulHcssoracknowl- 
more  noisy  and    trouble- 

nigut,  so  much  so  that  no 

for  the  strange  noises  he 
;e  tlie  human  voice,  but  by 
reechcs  an>l  bowlings  as 
»efore,  without  uttering  a 
iT  he  continued  five  months, 
Lrages  upon  hiipself  and*bis 
uiious and  -.istonishing  acts, 
all  which  lime 


and  during; 
i!o/:ec?  or 


Pitrprlrcd  t 


67 

rnie  word,  and  took  no  notice  of  any  person,  or 
any  thing  done  or  said  to  him,  any'  more  than 
a  dumb  or  senseless  creature.  He  had  the  New 
Testament,  wliich  be  kept  by  him,  and  a  leaf 
in  it  was  observed  to  be  turned  down  ;  on  ex- 
ii^rnalion  it  proved  to  be  at  the  3d  chapter  of 
Corinthians,  beginning  in  these  words.  ".']»»//, 
brethren,  covld  not  speak  tintoyou,''  «S-r. 

The  weather  being  extremely  cold  liirouj^h- 
out  the  month  of  January,  fear?  won;  enlf-r 
iained  that  he  must  perish  without  lirp,  presum- 
ing that  no  man  r.ould  keep  from  freezing  in  his 
situation.  I  visited  him  almost  every  d;iy,  and 
examined  his  hands  and  feet,  but  never  found 
bimc^Jd.  He  kept  in  bis  bunk  night  and  day, 
and  his  chains  ain  ays  felt  warm. 

He  made  no  more  attempts  to  escape  until 
February,  wlien  the  weather  ?  ecin  to  moderate 
a  little,  and  h«  became  more  restlp«'S  and  trou- 
blesome. Early  in  the  month  he  lip^nn  to  (ear 
off  the  lime  wall  and  latbin<j;  from  tho  partitiou, 
and  broke  every  thing  be  could  get  hold  of;  a' 
strong  iron-hooped  bucket,  that  held  his  drink, 
he  broke  all  in  small  pieces  :  not  a  piece  of  tho 
iron  hoops  was  left  more  than  three  in(  hes  lona  ; 
and  when  the  gaoler  camo  to  the  wicket  door 
with  a  candle  to  see  him,  be  uould  throw  the 
pieces  with  such  dexterity  as  to  put  out  the  light. 
although  handcuifed.  He  continued,  as  tlic 
weather  moderated,  to  grow  more  noisy  and  vi- 
cious. On  the  10th  I  received  the  i'ollowing 
note  from  the  gaoler  : 

"Dear  Sik, — There  must  be  tomethinsr done  with 
F 


V 


-•"^rtiii 


; 


{ 


58 

Smitli— He  is  dfiteirain''d  to  let  me  know  what  he  is,  ii 
no  ono  else  does— He  sleejw  iu  the  day  time,  and  when 
1  ifo  U  tell  him  to  keep  quiet  at  night,  he  yills  so  ai' not 
to  hear  what  1  say.  Instead  ot  thanks  for  tukig;  .on"  his 
irons,  he  niakec  al.  "<e  m.ise  he  can  by  y(  IB 


whole  ami  sate  ;  and  to  prcvept  him  fr^a^smg 
his  hands  so  freely,  lotkfd  a  chain  iromT 
lei 


1  pOKi 
llrai 


'e  if**' 
or 


nil  nigii.,and  kii>    kini,' very   loud  wilh.»t!||i 
)iis  irons.    1  wish  you  would  come  up  ea^bj^^ 
what  is  best.  W.  DlB] 

On   going  into  tlie  gaol,  I  found  his  irons  on 

1  Ml  fet 
to  his  handcuffs,  and  left  Inin.  On  Sunday, 
•  he  lOtli,  two  gentlemen  from  Nova-Scotia,  who 
bad  been  requested  by  his  wife  to  make  some 
enquiry  after  him,  called  upon  me.  1  pqiiua 
ded  Ihem  to  go  with  me  to  the  gaol, 
he  would  speak,  or  take  any  notice  of 
any  thing  they  might  say  to  him  from  hi|trtfe 
They  said  a  great  deal  to  him— told  1jim  his 
wife  wished  to  know  his  situation,  and  if  be 
wished  her  to  come  to  him  ;  what  she  should  dft 
with  a  colt  he  had  left  ;  if  he  would  have  him 
sold,  that  he  would  fetch  200  dollhrs,  Lc.  but 
all  made  no  impression  on  him  any  more  than 
if  lie  was  a  dead  man,  which  convinced  us  a41 
that  if  he  should  be  hanged  he  would  go  to  the 
gallows  without  speaking  a^rd,  or  clian;,Mnj: 
his  countenance. 

The  week  following  he  grew  more  restle?s 
and  vicious,  and  the  next  Sunday,  on  going  isito 
the  gaol  with  Mr.  Sinoffson and  Mr.  Griffith  from 
Woodstock,  founil  Ssnilth  had  broken  up  part  ci, 
bis  birth  ;  hadHbrofceijklhe  chain  from  his  hand- 
ciifli,  leaving  on4Tli3|po  the  staple,  the  part-  (i 


if** '" 


lin 
sto 
coi 
tha 

but 

boa 

the 

aga 

dro 

his 

pari 

iarg 

tlie 

I  till 

putt 

stap 

tbei 

N 

to  re 

weat 

effec 

that 

to  ex 

ofThi 

timb( 

done, 

flat  b 

edges 

a  pie 

very 

swelli 


■.^HkS 


Et  me  know  what  he  is,  ii 
II  the  day  time,  and  when 
at  night,  lie  yi  lis  so  as  not 
of  thanks  for  tiiking  old"  l:is 
can  by  ytlBnf  •SDtJjM-i  niu- 
ry  lomi  witb.i»t!l|%iat  o£ 
Mir-%»^advi« 


owe  up  eBK^*i«^adv 


il,  I  found  his  iiGns  on 


prcvept  him  fir&||sing 
d  a  chain  froailS  fet- 
lefl  him.  On  Sunday, 
from  Nova-Scotia,  nho 
is  wife  to  make  some 
1  upon  me.  1  pa«ua-. 
■  to  the  gaol,  t^Pe  if*** 
any  notice  of  flHi  or 
'  to  him  from  hi|trtfc. 

to  him — told  1jim  his* 
is  situation,  and  if  he 
I)  ;  what  she  should  do 

if  he  would  have  him 
h  200  dollhrs,  Lc.  but 
on  him  any  more  than 
vhich  convinced  us  a4l 
ed  he  would  go  to  the 
u;  aWbrd,  or  clian;^iuj; 

lie  grew  more  rcstlcps 
Sunday,  on  going  into 
jnand  Sir.  Griffith  from 
had  broken  uj)  part  ci. 
i  chain  from  his  hand- 
tho  "-taple,  the  pari^^t! 


f    • 


59 

links  secreted  ;  torn  up  part  of  his  beddinj;,  anJ 
i-toppcd  .ho  funnel  of  the  necessary  so  ,h,  t  "t 
coKld  nut  easily  be  cleared.  It  appeared  aNo 
that  h»|u4.t«|pn  at  the  grates,  hul  how  he ^^ 
%""^-'^"T'y^'''   the  chains  to  his  Je^s 

but  he  had.»v,^ently  been  there,  as  some  of  the 
boardmg  was  brol^en  and  piece,  of  pine  Idt  in 
tl'o.b^ijfs.  We^hen  raise.I  the  M.ple,  on' I 
again  put  on  th^  chAin  to  the  hanJcuirs  and 
drove  the  staple  in  another  place,    more  ^at  of 

^^rZr^-  .^'*  ""*  'iay  found  he  had  again 
parted  the  Cham  from  his  hands,  and  torn  offa 
.  arge|^t,on  of  the  lathing  and  pla.ter.ng  fron, 
;1  !«"■'"•  ""^  'loor covered  with  rul.bis^. 
1  theinrtempled  to  confine  him  more  closelv, 
putt.V,g«  Cham  from  his  k.A  around  his  neck 
stapled  o  the  floor,  and  h.s  handcmJs  secured  to 
the  middle  of  the  chain. 

Notwithstanding  every  exertion  1  could  moke 
to  restram  hnn,  J  was  stil^  foarful  that,    as  the 
weather  grew  warmer,  be  would  find  means  to 
eirect  his  escape,  as  he  had  already  done  tbinc^s 
hat  seemed  to  require  more  than  human  power 
to  execute;  especially  in  getting  the  ir«n  collar 
off  h.s  neck,    and  drafting  the  staple  from  the 
timber,  ,vh,ch  two  yoke  of  oxen  could  not  have 
done.      1  he  iron  collar,  which   was  made   of  a 
Hat  bar  ot  iron,  one  and  a  half  inch    wide,   the 
edges  only  rounded,  he  twisted- the  same  as  if 
a  piece  of  leather,    and  brol^   it  in  two.     We 
very  often  found  him    blood&.^vcf  his    wrists 
swelled  and  sore  by  his  exenmis,  hut  he  never 


-A 


i*io-i(i  ftm  >■ 


-iiwiir  -'i 


i^Jitb^^i 


GO 

done    orexhibitcU  aii>  iCa-" 

or  '•o'n''''-*;  i      i„,„  ,he  ?aol  at  evening 

efte^t    tan    l..>rui>  astonislied   at 

Every  one  P^^\^''  '^^^^  V; .?  per.uaded    the  like 

511,  of  M..C1,.  "he.  1  look  „«  l"l"y":»,"|'^.°^;S 
|,i„,  »  .k,n  .hirt-  e.  '•"»-;;'•  ,,"7,  '1,  hi, 
c„.„l,  hi.  hair,  »h.Ji  Uil  iiol  Dtt"  « 


boa 
liiir 
the 
at'd 
wo  I 
J 
i"« 

blL-( 

vitn 
sex 

.T<l   t 

lit 
cr  \ 
and 

had 
no( 

d.iy 

ud  I 

ill  V 
und 
mov 
S 
rath 
I  w 
that 
I»en 
the; 
dou 
him 
Lrol 
toh 
in  A 
part 


IJL 


li L 


noiif«'  ot  wlmt.  he  \\^A 
etjard   for  his  situation 

into  the  gaol  at  evening 
walking,  and  exhitjit- 
representini;  his  wife, 
ed  by  the  wall,  as  large 
no;  him  in  his  miserable 
talking    before    her    in 
r  as  they  would  admit, 
this   scene   exhibited  a. 
misery  and  distress-— 
4ched  and  disconsolate 
in  a  most  dejected  pos- 
■cchless— The  husband, 
ess  and  silently  before 
n   his  countenance,  agi- 
■^i  his   frame  exhibiting 
ih.     Truly,  1  must  say, 
feelinss  of  humanity;  its 
effaced  from    my  mind. 
.  awed  and  astonished  at 
fully  per;-,uadcd    the  like 
can  be   apain    produced, 
id  effect.     The  effigy  was 
nud  the  shirt  and  clothes 
kith    the   assistance    ot  a 
eet  long,  u,<ed  for  ketping 
him  to'driiik. 
and  troublesome  until  the 
,  iiiinsand  gave 
ilf   and 
nor  his 


took  oft' his  irons  and  gave 
,   },im  wa.^h   hi-^    " 
had  not  been  c 


M 


«**r 


d 


61 


beard  shaved,  -.ince  lie  had  been  in  gaol — gave 
liiin  some  sonp,  a  part  of  which  lie  cat,  and  used 
the  rest.  The  Macksiiiith  again  put  on  his  irons 
at'd  chains,  which  he  received  the  Jaiue  as  an  ox 
would  his  yoke,  ur  a  horse  his  harness. 

March  0th — our  Court  of  Common  Pleas  com- 
ing on  it  recjuiriid  all  my  attention,  and  Mr.  Dib- 
blee,  the  gaoler,  having  received  a  flattering  in- 
vitation to  take  charge  of  the  Academy  at  Sus- 
sex-Vale, had  engaged  to  remove  there  as  soon 
as  tlie  Court  was  over,  and  accordingly,  on  the 
I  Ith  of  March,  he  removed,  leaving  the  prison- 
er without  a  keeper,  and  nic  in  an  unpleasant 
and  anxious  situation.  The  conduct  of  Smith 
had  been  and  continued  so  bad  that  I  could  find 
no  one  willing  to  take  charge  of  him.  The  next 
day,  however,  with  iniicli  persuasion,  I  prevail- 
ed upon  Mr.  James  lieid,  a  Scotchman,  a  man 
in  whom  1  could  place  the  utmost  confidence,  to 
undertake  the  task,  and  the  day  following  he 
moved  into  the  house  with  his  family. 

Smith  appeared  of  a  better  countenance,  and 
rather  more  quiet,  until  the  24th  of  March,  when 
I  was  called  upon  by  the  gaoler,  and  informed 
thai  he  was  about  somelliing  ;  that  he  had  bro- 
ken open  the  liole  through  the  parlitiori,  that  led 
the  stove  pi[)es  into  the  debtors  room,  and  nn 
doubt  was  loose.  On  going  into  the  gaol,  fouiij 
him  loose  from  all  his  irons  ;  his  neck  chain  was 
broken  in  three  pieces  ;  the  chain  from  his  neck 
to  his  legs  in  three  pieces  ;  his  screw  handcuHs 
in  four  pieces,  and  all  hanging  on  nails  on  the 
p.irtitioa  Willi — his  great  coat  was  "torn»in  two 
F2 


JIUL. 


h 


62 

throush  the  back,    aiul  hl.ippc.l  in  pieces,  one 
strip    about    his   shoulders  for  a  belt     with  a 
wooden  sword   l-nnr,in?   in  it ;  and  with   i    he 
shewed  all  the  exercise  of  the  small  sword,  which 
he   appeared    to  understand   well— His*   chanis 
Iroin  his  lefjB  were  loose  from  the  staple*,  and 
tied   with  a  strip  of  his  groat  coat  ;  his  hands, 
face  and  clothes  bloody,     in  this  situation,  he 
exhibited    an    astonishing   figure.     During  the 
lime  he  was  lease,  he  had  taken  off  every  inch 
of  the  plastering  from  the  partition  wal.  ;  strip- 
ped off  all    the  lathing   and  the  boarding  over 
the  grates  ;  broken    some  of  the  bricks— had 
"athercd  all  the  fragments  together,  and  stack- 
Tn^  them  up  in  a  round  stack,   with   the  broken 
latl)  fenced  it  round  with  a  worm  ience ;  piled 
all   the    long    lath  close   to  the  wall  under  the 
grates,  out  of  sight  from  the  wickel  door;  then 
swept   the  floor  clean  ;  so  that  returning  to  his 
tirth  ami    tying  his  leg  chain  to  the  staple,   on 
looking  in  with  a  candle,  nothing  could  be  seen 
out   of  place.     In  this  situation  1  found  him— 
Daniel  Micheau,  Esq.    Moses  Foster,    George 
Raymond,  Walker  Tisdale,  the  L'aoler,  andolh- 
ers  present.     I  then  raised  the  staple,    secured 
him  by  the  leg   chain,   put  on  a  pair  ol  strong 
stiff  handcuffs,  added  a  stron-  chain  to  his  neck 
stapled  to  Jhe  ftoor.  and  left  him. 

He  remained  in  that  situation  until  the  2Cth 
_l  was  then  called  again  by  the  gaoler,  who 
said  he  believed  he  was  loosu,  and  was  about 
sonre  mischief— I  went  into  gaol  and  found  him 
loose }  his   chain  from  his   neck  was  separatee. 


ftn:  -V-^^^"  -  V     '"«"  «i^-»im,iiii.i« 


c 

p 

A 

n 

c 

a 
1< 

h 
h 

d 
h 
c 

tl 

c 

p 

h 
w 

n- 
h 
a 

h 

b 
tl 
si 

C( 


U.J 


•^ 


hliippcd  in  pieces,  om; 
•IS   for  a   licit,    with  a 

in  it ;  ami  witli  it  he 
(the  small  sword,  which 
land  w«;ll — His  chains 
e  from  thts  staple*,  and 

great  coat  ;  his  hands, 
.  In  this  Hitiiation,  he 
Iff  figure.  During  the 
ad  taken  off  every  inch 
e  partition  wall  ;  strip- 
and  the  boarding  over 
DC  of  the  bricks — had 
nis  together,  and  stack- 
stack,  with  the  broken 
Ih  a  worm  fence ;  piled 
c  to  tlie  wall  under  the 
1  the  wicket  door;  then 

so  that  returning  to  his 

chain  to  the  staple,   on 
e,  nothing  could  be  seen 

situation  1  fi/und  him — 

Mosc-  Foster,  George 
Jale,  ihetraoler,  andolh- 
iscd  the  staple,    secured 

put  on  a  pair  of  strong 

stronj;  chain  to  his  neck 
I  left  him. 

situation  until  the  2Cfh 
ain  by  the  gaj^ler,  who 
t-as  loosti,  and  was  about 
t  into  gaol  and  found  him 

his  neck  was  separated 


into  ini'f*'  pieces  ;  he  had  brniied  (lie  plaster- 
iiii;  from  thi;  .^toiie  wall,  with  his  ch.iins,  about 
lliroo  leet  loii^ — We  weni  ohlij^ed  to  lc:ivi;  him 
— Wliile  we  were  setting  his  chains  mended,  ho 
>'wcpt  the  room  clean.  At  ni^lri  I  added  anoth- 
er chain  from  his  fottors  to  his  neck,  and  sla- 
ple<l  him  to  tiie  floor,  with  about  four  feet  chain  ; 
)«ecurcd  his  liaiidcuirs  to  the  chain  between  his 
Heck  and  foot,  so  that  when  standini;,  he  could 
not  reach  in  any  direction,  and  then  left  him. 
.  Me  remained  easy,  .sinf^in;^  and  hallooini?  oc- 
casionally, until  the  .'ilst.  I  was  then  called 
again,  by  the  gaoler,  who  said  he  was  ceitaiiily 
loose  again  ;  that  opening  the  door  to  sec  what 
he  was  doing,  he  found  a  piece  of  the  chain  from 
his  neck  Inuiging  iin  the  inside  of  the  wicket 
door.  I  went  iir.mcdiately  to  the  gaol  ;  found 
he  hail  broken  :i!l  his  chains  ;  had  tied  his  foot 
chain  to  the  staple  again,  long  enou;;h  to  reach 
the  wicket  door;  was  lying  in  bed  as  uncon- 
cerned as  if  nothing  had  happened,  with  the 
piece  of  chain  about  his  neck!  We  then  took 
his  bunk  bedstead  from  him,  and  every  thing 
within  his  reach,  and  never  let  him  have  it  any 
more ;  but  cculd  not  discover  by  what  means 
he  separated  his  chains,  ^.'o  liiij<s  of  the  chains 
.appearad  twisfed,  nor  were  any  l)r»ken  links  to 
be  seen.  'J'he  manner  iri  which  |je  was  chain- 
ed, as  well  as  the  strength  of  the  chains,  left  it 
beyond  doubt,  that  he  must  have  means  to  cut 
the  links,  as  it  was  liiought  beyond  human 
slrenglh.  in  his  situation,  to  break  them — toas- 
tcrf;iin  wbirji  wc  let  a  candle  down  the  neccs- 


<. 


aiMlH* 


64 


i 


sary,  by  wliich  wc  could  see  the  bottom  clear- 
ly ;  and  with  an  iron  Look  prtpared  for  the 
purpose,  we  brought  up  a  bunch  ol"  broken  links 
of  his  chains,  which  he  had  tied  up  in  a  piece 
of  his  shirt,  and  thrown  down,  together  with  a 
piece  of  his  neck  chain,  about  a  foot  long  ; 
which  then  convinced  us  that  he  could  have  no 
further  means  oi  cuttvig  l)is  chains,  and  that  he 
must  do  it  by  soine  mysterious  art  or  power. 
Some  of  the  links  were  broken  lengthwise,  and 
some  crosswise,  but  all  appcired  to  have  been 
broken  very  short,  without  bending  or  twisting 

and  we  w«re  never  able  to  discover  the  means 

by  which  they  were  separated. 

I  was  tbcn  determined  to  break  the  enchant- 
ment, if  strength  of  chain  would  do  it ;  and  ad- 
ded to  his  fetters  a  lajge  timber  chain,  which 
was  used  for  bunk  chain  of  a  bob  sled,  by  which 
four  and  five  logs  were  hauled  to  the  mill  at 
once.  (I  have  seen  the  chain  made  use  of  at  the 
<;aol  in  New-Haven  ;  and  this  chain  was  at  least 
one  third,  if  not  one  half  larger,  and  twice  as 
strong.)  Wc  then  left  him.  April  1st,  found 
his  n°ck  chain  parted  again  ;  got  it  mended, 
and  replaced  it.  April  tilh,  found  his  neck 
chain  again  parted — J  then  replaced  his  neck 
chain,  with  a  strong  ox  chain,  a  size  hrger  than 
that  used  in  the 'prison  at  New-Haven,  about 
seven  feet  long  ;  the  whole  of  h=^  irons  in  good 
order,  and  e.)ually  strong;  which,  bei.ig  weigh- 
'  ed  by  the  gaoler  after  they  were  taken  off,  a- 
niounted  to  forty-six  pounds.  Left  him  that 
night ;  next  morning  the  gaoler   iafonncd   me, 


iiiii'i  I  'r-*-*"-;-"''     ■-'".& 


mm^ 


-*r 


i 


65 


see  the  bottom  clear- 
look  prtpared  for  tlie 
I  bunch  ol"  broken  links 
lad  tied  up  in  a  piece- 
down,  together  with  a 
,  about  a  foot  long  ; 
that  lie  could  have  no 
]\s  chains,  and  that  he 
^sterious  art  or  power, 
iroken  lengthwise,  and 
ppe'.ired  to  have  been 
ut  bending  or  twisting 
B  to  discover  the  means 
a  rated. 

I  to  break  the  cnchanl- 
I  would  do  it ;  and  ad- 

tiniber  chain,  which 
jf  a  bobsled,  by  which 
hauled  to  the  mill  at 
chain  made  use  of  at  the 
J  this  chain  was  at  least 
If  larger,  and  twice  as 
him.  April  1st,  found 
again  ;  got  it   mended, 

6lh,  found  his  neck 
hen  replaced  his  neck 
bain,  a  size  Is  rger  than 
at  New-Haven,  about 
ole  of  b-^  irons  in  good 
y;  which,  bei.ig  weigh- 
ley  were  taken  off,  a- 
junds.     Left    him   that 

gaoler   iaformcd   me, 


that  from  the  unaccountable  noise  he  had  made 
througli  the  ni^ht,  he  was  persuaded  be  must  be 
loosel'rom  some  of  his  ebiins— 1  then  conclud- 
ed he  must  have  broken  his  steel  fetters,  as  it 
was  impossible  for  human  streuglb  to  break 
either  of  the  ox  chains— but  to  my  surprize,  I 
found  the  chain  to  his  neck  parted,  and  tied 
with  a  string  to  the  stanle,  two  feet  long  ;  hand- 
cutls,  fetters  and  log  chain  whole—Secured  bis 
neck  chain  again.  After  this  he  remained  more 
quiet ;  his  wrists  being  much  galled,  and  other- 
wise bruised  and  sore  from  his  exertions. 

He  did  not  commit  any  further  outrages    for 
some  time,  but  busied  himself  in  brading  straws, 
with  which  he  made  a  place  on  the  side  wall  to 
put  his  bread  in  ;  sometimes  making  an  image 
or  likeness    of  a  man  or  woman,   and  placing 
them   in    very  striking   situations,   discovering 
great  art  and  ingenuity,  and   seemed  to  amuse 
himself  without'  breaking  his  irons,    but  made 
much   noise,  hallooing   and   beating  his  chains 
most  of  the  night.     Ou  the  29th  April  on  going 
into  the  gaol,  discovered  the  likeness   of  a  wo- 
man, representing  his  wife,    silting  at  the  bead 
of  his  bed,    With  the  New  Testament  open  be- 
fore her,  as  though  reading  to  him,  and  he   sit- 
ting in  a  posture  as  though  listening  to  her  with 
great  attention.     I  was  induced  to  look  into  the 
book,  and  found  it  opened  to  the  13lh  chapter 
of   St.   Luke,    the  title  of   which  was,    "  Jesus 
teacheth  Repentance,''  with  a  leaf  turned  down 
directing  to  the  last  verse  of  the  12th  chapter- 
Appearing  as  though  she  bad  rebuked  him  for  his 


« 


L 


66 


/conduct,  brincing  to  the  mind  his  sr^-cral  es- 
capes, whilst  he  appeared  toJustiCy  himself  with 
that  text  of  Scripture,  which  says: — "  ffAe» 
thougoest  with  thine  adxiersary  to  the  magistrate, 
as  thou  art  on  the  zcaij,  give  ditigmce  that  thou 
mayest  be  delivered  from  him,  lest  he  hale  thee  .to 
the  Judge,  and  the  Judge  deliver  thee  to  the  of- 
ficer, find  the  officer  cast  thee  into  prison."  S. 
Scribner,  T.  Scriltner.  and  Mr.  Keid  were  pres- 
ent with  me.  He  produced  many  more  of  the 
like  representations,  that  discovered  an  uncom- 
mon genius  and  wonderful  ingenuity,  more  than 
I  am  able  to  describe. 

A  Special  Court  of  Oyer  and  Terminer,  and 
General  Gaol  Delivery  had  been  summoned,  to 
i||  held  at  Kingston,  on  the  28th  day  of  April, 
for  tlie  trial  of  the  hojse  stealer,  but  was  put  off 
and  re-summoned  to  be  held  on  the  4th  of  May, 
occasioned  by  the  ice  remaining  unusually  late 
in  the  river  St.  John,  as  will  appear  from  the 
following  letters : 

"St.  John,  April  5<h,  1815. 

"  Dear  Sir, — I  Iiave  received  your  letter  detail- 
ing: the  very  extracrdiuary  conduct  of  tlie  culprit  in  your 
custody.  Tliere  is  certainly  a  mystery  in  this  man's 
means  and  character  which  19  unfathomable,  and  I  fear 
there  will  be  considerable  difticulty  withhiro  at  the  (rial. 
Your  vigilance  and  exertions  of  course  must  not  be  re- 
laxed. As  the  bert  thin,?  to  be  done,  I  dispatched  your 
letter  without  delay  to  the  Attorney  General,  that  they 
might  adopt  at  Head-Quarters,  any  such  measures  as 
they  might  think  expedient,  for  the  further  safeguard 
rind  security  of  th?  prisoner.  _  ^ 

Very  rcspectfidly  your?, 

W.  Bates,  Esq."  Vi.  CHIPMAN. 


"I 
from 
statin 
ticabi 
he  has 
lion  u 
him. 
presei 
dange 
well,) 
to  put 
he  wii 
the  ho 
this  a( 
extrac 
probal 
theC( 
a  new 
ill  timi 
be  eas 


On 
oner  i 
May, 
for  hi 
had  c 
attont 
not  sp 
to  see 
to  see 
than  i 
no  sei 
work 
told  h 


■■ihiiit»'ill»«Bn»llfiiir<l|i> 


mind  his  sr^'cral  es- 
I  tojustif'y  liimself  with 
ivliich  says  : — "  When 
rsarj/  totlictnttgistratc, 
give  diNgcnce  thai  thou 
him,  lest  he  hale  thee  Jo 
1  deliver  thee  to  the  of- 
thee  into  priso^t."  S. 
id  Mr.  Held  were  prcs- 
ced  many  more  of  the 
discovered  an  urfcom- 
d  ingenuity,  more  than 

;r  and  Terminer,  and 
ad  been  summoned,  to 
the  28th  day  of  April, 
tealer,  but  was  put  off 
eld  on  the  4th  of  May, 
naining  unusually  late 
will  appear  from  the 

John,  April  5th,  1815. 
eived  your  letter  detail- 
Dduct  of  tlie  culprit  in  your 
a  mystery  in  this  man's 
unfathomable,  and  I  fear 
culty  withhiro  at  the  trial. 
s  of  course  must  not  be  rc- 
be  done,  I  dicpatched  your 
ttorney  General,  that  they 
:rs,  any  puch  measures  as 
for  the  further  safeguard 


Vi.  CHIPMAN. 


fllfH  1 11 1'Siii  n»' " 


67 


«  n  Q  ,.  "^"'*»A*.  Jeth  April,  1816. 
r  "'^EA'iSm,-!  have  just  received  l.^  a.  express 
from  Fredencton,  a  letter  from  the  Attorney  Genera ! 
stating  that  from  the  state  of  the  river,  it  will  be  imprac ' 
ticable  (or  huu  t«  be  at  Kin-ston  by  the  20th  :  ami  as 
he  has  hitherto  taken  (he  whole  burthen  of  the  prosecu- 
imn  upon  b.mselt,  the  trial  cannot  well  go  on  without 
tuns.  Jrom  this  circumstance  therefore,  and  m  the 
present  state  of  the  travelling  would  probably  rend.-r  it 
dangerous  to  my  father's  health,  (who  is  not  now  very 

to  put  ,t  off  un  Thursday,  the  AUi  of  May,  for  which  day 
he  w, shcs  you  to  Mimmon  your  Jurips,  and  to  proclaim 

this  additional  trouble,  but  it  must  be  attributed  to  the 
extraordinary   backwardness  of  the  season,  wlmn.  was 

lheS^"n  '  Jr"^!!"  T'^"!! ''  r"'  '•«c'"'"'ncnd«dto  hold 
the  Court  on  the  20th  April.    I  have  not  time  to  forward 
a  new  precept  by  tins  couvc -ince,  but  1  will  forward  one  j 
11  time  or  the  one  you  luive  may  be  altered.     This  can 
be  easily  arranged  when  we  go  up  to  the  Court. 
\ours,  truly, 

W.  BAT..,  E.,.»  ^-  ^'^-'^'^^^'  •'""• 

On  the  30th  day  of  April  1  informed  the  pris- 
oner that  on  Thursday  next,  th«  fourth  day  of 
iVlay,  he  must  have  his  trial  before  the  Court 
for  his  life,  and  that  Mr.  Pearson,  from  I'ictou, 
had  come  to  witness  against  him.  He  paid  no 
attontionto  what  I  said,  any  m6re  than  if  I  had 
not  spoken  to  him.  May  2d,  Mr.  Pearson  came 
to  see  him— told  him  that  his  wife  was  coming 
to  see  him,  but  he  took  no  more  notice  of  him 
than  if  hg  could  not  either  see  or  hear,  or  had 
no  sense.  The  third  day  found  he  had  been  at 
work  at  the  wall ;  his  face  bruised  and  bloody  ; 
told  him  thcXr  the  next  day  he  would  be  brought 


■  run,    f. 


E 


68 

before  the  Court  for  his  trial.  He  paid  no  at- 
tention, ale  hastily,  patled  his  hands,  ha  looed, 
appeared  very  lively,  sang  much,  and  acted  the 
lunatic  or  fool  to  perfection— sang  and  beat  the 
floor  with  his  chains  most  of  the  night. 

the  fourth  day  of  May,  the  day  appointed  for 
the  trial  ot  this  mysterious  character,  being  now 
arrived,  the  Court  began  to  assemble  at  Kings- 
ton, with  numerous  spectators  from  the  distant 
parts  of  the  country,— early  in   the  mcrning. 
About  11  o'clock  his  Honor  Judge  Sanders,  and 
the  Attorney  General,  arrived  at  my  houst;  .roni 
Frederickton ;    the    attorneys   and    officers    ot 
Court  having   previously   arrived.     About  one 
o'clock,  the  whole  went  to  the  Court-House  ,n 

^"Afte'r  opening  the  Court  in  the  usual  form,  tb.^ 
prisoner  was  called   to  the  bar,   and  placed  m 
the  criminals  bos  ;  the  gaoler,  with  four  or  fi'  e 
constables  to  attend  him.     He  made  no   resist- 
ance, but  took  no  notice  of  the  Court-played 
a  thousand  monkey  actions,  pulled  oft  his  shoes 
and  socks,  tore  his  shirt,  ha-ha'd  a  little,  pattin;; 
his  hands,  snapping  his  fingers  as  usual,  and  act- 
in"  the   fool.     The  Court  was  crowded    with 
spectators,    and  every  eye  was  fixed   upon  the 
'      prisoner   witn   astonishment.     Now   became  a 
period  of  gr^at    expectation.      The  Attorney 
General  having  read  his  Indictment,  the  Judge 
asked  him  if  he  plead  to  the  indictment,  GmlUj. 
or  JVot  Guilty— He  stood  mute ;  took  no  kind  ol 
notice  of  what  was  said  to  him.     The  Judge 
*'  then  admonished  him,  that  if  he  stood  mute  '^^^ 


m 


of 
de 
up 
tei 
he 
tir 
ini 
thi 
re 
m( 
pr 
iti 
be 
ev 
th 
tii 
m 
di 

Pl 
er 

jo 
or 

as 
to 
w 
nt 

q' 

w 
si 
ei 
rt 
h 


trial.  He  paid  no  at- 
<1  his  hands,  hallooed, 
g  much,  and  acted  the 
[)», — sang  and  beat  the 
of  the  night. 

the  day  appointed  for 
IS  character,  being  now 

to  assemble  at  Kings- 
[atoTS  from  the  distant 
early  in  the  mcrning. 
or  Judge  Sanders,  and 
•rived  at  my  houst;  .Voni 
)rneys  and  ojficers  ol 
Y   arrived.     About  one 

to  the  Court -House    n 

jrt  in  the  usual  form,  tbi^ 
the  bar,   and  placed  ii» 
Taoler,  with  four  or  fi'  e 
L     He  made  no   resiit- 
e  of  the  Court— played 
ons,  pulled  off  his  shoes 
,  ha-ha'd  a  little,  patting 
fingers  as  usual,  and  act- 
)urt  was  crowded    with 
eye  was  fixed   upon  the 
ament.     Now   became  a 
ctation.      The  Attorney 
is  Indictment,  the  Judge 
lo  the  indictment,  Guilty. 
oAmute;  took  no  kind  ot 
lid  to  him.     The   JuJge 
that  if  he  stood  mute  '.^l 


of  obstinacy,  his  trial  would  go  on,  and  he  be 
deprived  of  the  opportunity  of  putting  himsc'lf 
upon  his  country  for  his  defence,  and  that  sen- 
tence would  be  passed  against  him — therefore 
he  advised  him  to  plead  Not  Guilty.  He  con- 
tinued mute,  acting  the  fool,  without  discover- 
ing the  least  sense,  or  change  in  his  countenance, 
that  could  be  observed.  The  Judge  then  di- 
rected the  Sheriff  *o  impannel  a  Jury  of  twelve 
men,  to  enquire  into  the  cause,  whether  tlis 
prisoner  at  the  bar  stood  mute  wilfully  and  ob- 
stinately, or  by  the  visitation  of  God.  The  Jury 
being  impannelled  and  sworn,  after  hearing  the 
evidence,  that  he  had  appeared  in  that  state  for 
three  months  pieceding,  &c. — soon  returned 
their  verdict,  that  the  prisoner  at  Hie  bar  stood 
mute,  by  the  visitation  of  Gcd.  The  Judge  then 
directed,  that  the  Attorney  General  enter  the 
plea  of  Not  Guilty ;  and  counsel  for  the  prison- 
er was  admitted.  The  Court  was  then  ad- 
journed until  next  morning,  at  icp  o'clock,  in 
order  for  his  trial. 

Friday  morning,  1 1  o'clock,  the  Court  being 
assembled,  and  the  house  crowded  with  specta- 
tors, the  prisoner  was  again  brought  to  the  bar, 
with  all  the  constables  to  attend  him.  He  took 
no  kind  of  notice  of  any  one,  but  sat  himself 
quietly  down  in  the  criminals  box.  Every  eye 
was  fixed  on  him  for  a  few  minutes  in  perfect 
silence.  Tiie  Judge  observed  that  the  prison- 
er appeared  more  calm  this  morning,  and  di- 
rected that  the  Court  proceed  to  his  trial.  The 
Jury  being  sworn,  and  the  witnesses  .called,  the 
G 


n 


'^r 


lw8^ifcfcte<|^"fc 


lii'WWI 'liidWi, 


__J 


fa 

erisoner  al  the  bar  was  entered  to  stj^nd  up  for 
his  defence.     He  took   m    notice  of  what  was 
said— The  constabK  s  wuie  then  ordered  to  hold 
him  upon  his  feet— he  tbucrht  them,  and  Jerked 
from  them,  so  that  they  oould  not  manage  to  do 
any  thing  with  him.     Sent  for  a  rope   and  pin- 
ioned  his  arms,  but  to  no  purpose  ;  then  lashed 
the  rope  from  his  arms  back  to  the  railing  ot  the 
box.     He  continued  fiiihtin!;,    and   reaching  the 
banisters  before  him,  brok^  them  out  as  last  as 
the  constables  could  fake  iliem  frow.  hira.     bent 
for  another  rope,   and  tied  his   hraids  together, 
secunng   them  to    the   railing  each  way.     lie 
then  fell  to  kicking  the  railing,  and  soon  demol- 
ished all    the  bannisters  and  raiimj-  m  (r-nt  ot 
the  criminals  box,  in  spite  of  all  ii-.e  co-tab.es 
could  do  to   prevent  him— Was  obliged  to  gft 
another  strong  rope  and  bind  his   feet  together, 
securing  the  rope  each  w..y,  to  the  posts  of  the 
box— U   then  took    two  or  three  constables  to 

hold  him.  ^  •    i 

After  thus  securing  him,  the  Court  proceeded 
on  his  trial.  The  Attorney  General  read  his 
declaration,  charging  the  prisoner  at  the  bar, 
with  having  feloniously  stolen  a  certain  l>ay 
horse<  the  property  of  Wilhs  Fr-denck  Knox, 
Ksq.  of  the  value  of  £35  ;  that  he  was  taken  in 
the  manner,  and  produced  his  witnesses.  iVlr. 
Knox  being  sworn,  stated  the  circumstances  ol 
his  pursuit  after  the  prisoner,  as  lar  as  1  ruro, 
where  he  employed  Mr.  Pearson  to  pursue  on 
to  Pictou  ;  being  informed  that  the  prisoner  was 
«oing  to  sell   the  l...se  at  that  place.     Mr.  Vc- 


L 


cred  to  stand  up  for 
notice  of  what  was 
then  ordered  to  hold 
;ht  them,  and  jerked 
jid  not  manage  to  do 
for  a  rope   and  pin- 
)ur|K)se  ;  then  lashed 
k  to  the  railing  of  the 
g,    and   reaching  the 
i  them  out  as  fast  as 
iiem  froiii  him.     Sent 
I  ins   hr.iids  together, 
ling  each  way.     He 
ling»  and  soon  deniol- 
iiid  railing  in  fr-tnt  of 
i  of  all  ii-.e  co-°tal)!'JS 
—Was  ohiiged  to   get 
ind  his   feet  together, 
y,  to  the  posts  of  the 
r  three  constables  to 

,  the  Court  proceeded 
ey    General  read  his 

prisoner  at  the  bar, 
stolen  a  certain  hay 
tV/iS  Fr-derick  Knox, 
;  that  he  was  taken  in 
d  his  witnesses.  Mr. 
I  the  circumstances  of 
»ner,  as   far  as   Truro, 

Pearson  to  pursue  on 
d  that  the  prisoner  was 
\  that  place.     Mr.  Fc- 


n 


tcrs,  counsel  for  the  prisoner,  asked  the  witness, 
how  he  wrott.'  hisclirislian  name — Wilis  or  Willis 
— to  which  lie  replied,  "  I  was  christened  after 
my  god-fa Hiers,  Lord  North  and  the  Ear!  of 
Wiltsborongli — and  never  write  my  name  Willis." 
Mr.  Peters  then  produced  authorities  to  show, 
that  one  letter  in  a  man's  name  had  quashed  an 
indictment  ;  and  moved  that  the  prisoner  he 
discharged.  This  was  overruled  by  the  Court, 
but  reserved  for  a  question. 

Mr.  Pearson  deposed,  that  be  pursued  from 
Pictou  after  the  thief  the  whole  night,  and  ear- 
ly next  morning,  was  shown  the  prisoner,  nnd 
look  him.  He  seemed  but  little  surprised  ; 
the  witness  told  hiru,  the  owner  of  the  horse 
would  be  there  soon — He  said  that  he  came  hon- 
estly by  the  horse — The  witness  asked  him 
where  the  horse  was  ?  He  said  at  tiiat  house  ; 
pointing  over  the  creek  where  there  was  but 
one.  He  then  took  the  prisoner  before  a  Jus- 
tice, ard  thence  to  the  gaol  at  Pictou.  Ht;  af- 
terward took  the  horse,  returned  about  ten  'iiiles, 
and  met  Mr.  Knox,  who  knew  the  horse  and 
called  him  Briton. 

The  circumstances  hgainst  the  prisoner  were, 
that  he  gave  contradictt-ry  accounts  how  he 
came  by  the  horse  ;  at  one  time  saying  th^t  he 
bought  him  of  a  pedlar ;  at  another,  of  ^  French- 
man ;  again,  thai  he  swaptd  for  him,  and  at 
Amherst  produced  a  receipt  for  money  paid  in 
exchange.  The  counsel  for  the  prisoner,  in 
cross-examining,  asked  Mr.  Knox,  did  you  ever 
see    the  prisoner  in  possession  of  the  horse  ? 


ijieii.'i.  Wi  J  '"m 


i 


.Jjl^     ^'V^it^^  ^-....'^p.*^ 


72         •       .  ■        ,* 

No    but  he  acknowleds^ed  it.— Did  you  ever 
hear  him  acknowledge  that  he  was  in  possession 
of  the  horse  in  any  other  way,  than  with  saying 
he  came  honestly  by  him  ?  No.     Mr.   Pearson 
wan  cross-examined  in  the  same  words,  and  an- 
swered the  same,  no.     Mr.  Peters,  in  defence  o 
the  prisoner,  produced  authorities  to  show,  that 
by  the  evidence,  the  prisoner  at  the  bar  was  not 
taken  in  the  mmner,   as  stated  in   the  declara- 
tion  •  and  thot  it  was  sufficient  for  him  to  pro^e 
in  a  general  way,  how  became  in  possession  ot 
the  horse,  which  he  was  able  to  do,  by  a  receipt 
which  he  produced  for  the  money   paid  in  ex- 
change-the  best  general  evidence  tbat  can  be 
eiven.  as  such  is  the  common  way  of  dealing  in 
horses.     He  acknowledged  if  the   prisoner  had 
been  taken  on  the  back  of  the  horse,  he  would 
then  have  been   taken  in  the  manner,  as  stated 
by  the  Attorney   General;    and  consequently 
bound  to  prove  how  he  came  in  fossesnon  ;  but 
in  the  present  case,  he  himself,  or  any  one  pres- 
ent, might  be  in  this  unfortunate  prisoner  s  situ- 
ation  ;  dragged  to  prison     to  court,  and  to  th*. 
gallows,  because  he  could  not  produce  the  per- 
son  who  had  actually  sold  him  the  horse.      The 
prosecutor  had   not  produced   any  evidence  ot 
[he    horse  ever  being  in   the    possession  ot  the 
prisoner,  only  by  bis  own  confession;  and  he 
trusted  that  the  Jury  would  not  hesitate  to  find 
that  the  prisoner  at  the  bar  was  not  taken  in  the 
manner,  as  stated  in  the  declaration  ! J>"'  «0"'d 
pronounce  him,  by   their  verdict,  JSot  Guilty. 
The  Judge,  in  his  charge  to  the  Jury,  overruled 


[ 


73 


red  it. — Did  you  eyet 
liat  he  was  in  possession 
r  way,  than  with  saying 
Ti  ?  No.     Mr.   Pearson 
lie  same  words,  and  an- 
Ir.  Peters,  in  defence  of 
luthorities  to  show,  that 
isoner  at  the  bar  was  not 
s  stated  in   the  declara- 
Lifficient  for  him  to  prove 
he  came  in  possession  of 
sable  to  do,  by  a  receipt 
the  money   paid  in  cx- 
iral  evidence  tbat  can  be 
mmon  way  of  dealing  in 
[lj;cd  if  the   prisoner  had 
k  of  the  horse,  he  would 
in  the  manner,  as  stated 
eral;    and  consequently 
!  came  in  possession  ;  hut 
himself,  or  any  one  pres- 
nfortunate  prisoner's  situ- 
ion,    to  court,  and  to  the 
3uld  not  produce  the  per- 
3old  him  the  horse.     The 
roduced   any  evidence  of 
ia   the   possession  of  the 
own  confession ;  and  he 
wcMild  not  hesitate  to  find 
5  bar  was  not  taken  in  the 
he  declaration  ;  but  would 
heir   verdict,  JV'ot  Guilty. 
iri'e  to  the  Jury,  overruled 


the  plea,  by  stating  to  the  Jury,  that  his  being 
taken  in  the  manner,  was  proved  by  the  varioui 
accounts  he  gave  of  his  getting  possession  of  the 
borse,    thus  rendering  himself  liable    to  prove 
how  he  came  by  him  ;  or  to  stand  guilty  of  fe- 
loniously   taking  him,   as  stated   in  the    indict- 
ment— That  they  had  heard  the  witnesses,  and 
if.  from  the  evidence  and  circumstances  before 
them,  thty  were  fully  satisfied  that  the  prisoner 
at  the    bar  had  taken   the  horse  feloniously,  as 
stated  in  the  indictment,  they  would   find   him 
Guilty  ;  and  if  they  had  any  doubts,  that,  lean- 
ing to  mercy,  they  would  find  him  JS'ot  Guilty. 
While  the  Jury  were  out,  1  invited  the  Court 
and  other  gentlemen  to  visit  the  gaol,  where  I 
shewed  them  his  irons  and  chains,  and  the  situ- 
ation in  which  he  was  placed.     The  Judge  ob- 
served, it    "■':>  fortunate  thtt  he  was  sent    to 
Kingston  gaol,  as  no  other  gaol  in  the  Province 
would  have  kept  him. 

The  Jury,  after  being  out  about  two  hours, 
returned  with  their  verdict — Guilty. 

The  prisoner  did  not  show  the  least  sign  of 
sensibility  that  could  be  perceived  while  the 
Judge  pronounced  upon  him  the  ^gntence  of  the. 
law.  Death,  without  benejit  of  clergy — but  coft- 
tinued  shouting  and  hallooing. 

Tlie  Court  asked  the  counsel  for  the  prisoner 
if  he  had  any  thing  to  offer  in  arrest  of  Judgment, 
or  why  the  sentence  of  Death  should  not  be  ex- 
ecuted upon  him.  Mr.  Peters  th^p  rose,  and  pro- 
duced authorities  to  show  that  the  present  law 
that  took  away  the  benefit  of  clergy  for  horse 
G  2  V- 


M'titiMamiP^^''  *i 


f- 

I 

i 


n 

stealinz,  was  not  in  force  in  this  Colony,  and 
that  it  could  not  be  construed  to  be  in  iorce  un- 
til decided  m  the  Higiier  Court,  where  he  hoped 
to  have  tlie  honor  to  discuss  it.  The  Judge 
gave  his  opinion  against  him,  but  admitted  the 

^  The  prisoner  was  returned  to  gaol,  where  he 
received  his  chains-wilh  willingness  and  appar- 
ent  satisfaction,  and  the  Court  adjourned  with- 
out day.      The    Attorney    General,    hovvever, 
gave  me  to  understand  that  he  would  not  be  ex- 
ecuted   very    speedily,    and  requested    that    1 
would  observe  his  behaviour,  and  inform  him  by 
letter  the  particulars  of  his  conduct.      1  he  next 
mornine  I  visited  him— found  him  as  usual— in- 
formed him   he    was    Bow  under    sentence    ot 
Death,  and  that  he   would  be  allowed  but  one 
pound  of  bread,  a«W  water  once  a  day,   for  the 
short  time   he  had  to  live-that  as   soon  as  his 
Death  Warrant  was  signed  by  the  President,  he 
would  be  executed,  and  but  little  time  was  lelt 
him  to  prepare  for  the  dreadful  event.     Ue  paid 
no  attention,  patted  his  hands,  sang,   and  acted 
the  fool  as  usual.     One  of  the  spect.itors  being 
surprised  at    his  conduct,   observed    to    him, 
«'  Smith,  it  \i  too  late  for  you  to  deceive   any 
more  ;  your  fate  is  fixed  now,  and  you  had  bet- 
ter employ  your  little  time  in  making  your  peace 
with  God,  than  to  act  the  fool  any  longer,  — 
which  occasioned  the  following  :— On  going  into 
the  gaol,  observing  his  book  opened,  and  looK- 
ine  at  it,  found  a  leaf  turned,  pointing  to  the  iol- 
lowing   passage  :-"  //  any   m«H  among  you 


tWtLtS^- 


^4 

ircc  in  this  Colony,  and 
istrued  to  be  in  force  un- 
;r  Court,  where  lie  hoped 
discuss  it.  The  Judge 
St  him,  but  admitted  the 

•turned  to  gaol,  where  he 
th  willingness  andappar- 
le  Court  adjourned  with- 
rncy  General,  however, 
that  he  would  not  be  cx- 
f,  and  requested  that  I 
aviour,  and  inform  him  by 
of  his  conduct.  The  next 
—found  him  as  usual — in- 

Bow  under  sentence  of 
ould  be  allowed  but  one 
water  once  a  day,   for  the 

live — that  as   soon  as  his 
igned  by  ibe  President,  he 
ind  but  little  time  was  left 
•  dreadful  event.     JtJe  paid 
tiis  hands,  sang,   and  acted 
(nu  of  the  spectators  being 
nduct,    observed    to    him, 
te  for  you  to  deceive   any 
ixed  now,  and  you  had  bet- 
;  time  in  making  your  peace 
,ct  the  fool  any  longer," — 
e  following  :— On  going  into 
lis  book  opened,  and  look- 
f  turned,  pointing  to  the  fol- 
"  //  any   m«;t  uiiiong  yov 


75 


jeeiiielli  to  be  wise,  let  him  become  a  fool,  that  lit 
may  be  wise.''' 

In  tliis  situation  I  kept  him  nine  days  on  bread 
and  water,  once  j  day  reminding  him  of  his  fate. 
He  continued  in  the  same  state,  and  in  that  time 
had  torn  oil'  every  stitch  of  clothing,  leaving  him- 
self naked,  lie  never  shewed  any  penitence, 
or  any  sign  of  hunger  more  than  when  fed  with 
four  times  his  allowance.  I  then  allowed  him 
other  provisions,  and  his  succeeding  conduct  is 
briefly  stated  in  the  following  letter  to  the  At« 
torney  General  : 

From  the  Royal  Gazette  of  July  11,  181,0. 

Copy  of  a  Letter  from  the  High  Sheriff' of  King^s 

County, 

Kingston.  June  20,  1815. 

My  dear  Sir, — Having  heard  nothing  from 
you  since  the  late  Gaol  Delivery  at  King's 
County,  I  beg  leave  briefly  to  Jtate  to  you  some 
circumstances  of  the  conduct  of  the  criminal 
Henry  More  Smith,  since  his  trial  and  sen- 
tence. After  securing  him  with  strong  chains 
on  his  neck  and  legs,  and  with  handcuffs,  he 
continued  beating  the  floor,  hallooing  day  and 
night  with  little  intermission,  making  different 
sounds  ;  sometimes  with  jinking  his  chains,  and 
sometimes  without,  apparently  in  different  parts 
of  the  gaol,  insomuch  that  the  gaoler  freque^it- 
]y  sent  for  me,  supposing  he  must  be  loose  from 
his  chains,  which  I  conceived,  and  frequently 
observed  was  impossible  ;  being  far  beyond  the 
power  of  human  strength  or  invention,  in  his  sit- 
uation ; — but    on   the  !24th  of  May,    going  int» 


I 

I 


/ 


It 

U,c  eaol  curly  in  the  morning,  (after  haying  ex- 
amined I  i.  cha.ns   at  two  o'clock  the  day    be- 
C)  I  found  three  link,  of  his  heav.cst  c  ^m 
Separated,  and  iyinj;  on  the  floor   being  par   of 
he  cl  a1n\vithoul  the  staple.     He  cunUnued  m 
hesmtway   until  the  2d   of  June,  when  wo 
•ounT  the  /  Jge.  ckain  parted  a6o«M  e  rM 
and   tied    with   a  string  ;  which  cl...rly  pro  es 
S   irons  and  chains  are  no  security  for   h,m^ 
1  then  put  on  hin.  a  light  chain,  with  wh.ch  he 
Iia4  li(!en  ever  since.  ., . 

1  never  discovered  him  at  work  at  any  thmg. 
but  he  frequently  produced  effigies  or  likeness^ 
e"  very  iiriking,  representing  h.s  wife.  He 
now  produc.-d  an  effigy  of  a  man  m  perfec 
Shane,  with  his  features  painted,  and  Joints  to  all 
h  mnhs,  and  dressed  him  in  clothes  that  he 
had  .n"  de'  in  ,ood  shape  -d  f-'^'-'""*  "^.  ^ 
clothes  that  he  had  torn  off  himself,  (being  now 

This  he  would  put    sometimes   in  one  position 
an    so  netimes  ill  another,  and  seemed  toamu  e 
mself  with  it,    without  taking  the  least  notice 
'      of  any   thing  else  ;  continuing  in  b'^  old  way 
hallooing,  without  any  alteration  until  the  13th. 
tL  the  gaoler  informed  me  that  he  refused.to 
•      :        nd  no  doubt  was  sick.     I  went  to  see  h.m 
'very  day-found  he  did  not  eat-all  the  bread 
and  other  provisions  conveyed  to  h.m  he  gave  to 
his  effigy,    strung  on  a  string  and  put   into  his 
ral-le  lay  perfectly  still  day  and   mght 
Lnd  took  no  notice  of  any  thing-would  dnr|k 
(eaor  wilk,   which  1  gave  him  twice  a  day  for 


fo 
ea 

ve 

m 

th 

or 

III 

I 

bt 

ch 

d( 

th 

T 

T 

til 

ai 

ej 

ol 

pi 
Pi 
di 

Bt 
til 

a! 

St 

g' 
fl( 

ii 

tl 

13 


G 

riling,  (after  having  ex- 
vo  o'clock  the  day  be- 
ks  of  his  heaviest  chain 
)  the  floor,  being  part  of 
tapie.  He  continued  in 
e  2d  of  June,  when  we 
I  parted  about  the  middle 
r ;  which  clearly  proves 
are  no  security  for  him. 
;ht  chain,  with  which  he 

him  at  work  at  any  thing, 
luced  fcftigics  or  likeness- 
ire?enting   liis  wife.     He 
iigy    of  a  man  in  perfect 
■s  painted,  and  joints  to  all 
Bd  him  in  clothes   that  he 
pe  and  fashion,  out  of  the 
rn  off  himself,  (being  now 
.dmired  for  its  ingenuity, 
sometimes   in  one  position 
ither,  and  seemed  to  amuse 
lout  taking  the  least  notice 
continuing  in  bis  old  way 
y  alteration,  until  the  13th, 
rmed  me  that  he  refused.to 
js  sick.     I  went  to  see  him 
;  did  not  eat— all  the  bread 
conveyed  to  him  he  gave  to 
n  a  string  and  put   into  his 
ectly  still  day  and   night, 
>f  any  thing— would  drink 
1  gave  him  twice  a  day  for 


•       '-    It 

five  days  ;  he  then  refused  to  drink  any  thing 
for  two  days,  which  made  seven  days  he  had 
eaten  nothing.  In  that  time  he  began  to  speak 
— would  ask  (lucstion.*,  but  would  hold  no  con- 
versation. Hut  the  most  extraonlinaiy,  the 
most  wonderful  and  mysterious  of  all  is,  that  in 
this  time  he  had  prepared,  undiscovered,  and  at 
once  exhibited  the  most  strikinij  picture  of  gc« 
nius,  art,  taste  and  invention  that  ever  was,  and 
I  presume  ever  will  be  produced  by  ,iny  liuiiiart 
being  placed  in  his  situation,  in  a  dark  room, 
chained  and  handcuffed,  under  sentence  of 
death,  without  so  much  as  a  nail  or  any  kind  of 
thing  to  work  with  but  his  hands  ;  and  n»kcd. 
The  exhibition  is  far  beyond  my  pen  to  describe. 
To  give  you  some  faint  idea,  permit  me  to  say 
that  it  consists  of  ten  characters,  men,  women, 
and  children — all  made  and  painted  in  tho  most 
expressive  manner,  with  all  the  limbs  am'  joints 
ot  the  human  frame — each  performing  ihllTorent 
parts  ;  their  features,  shape  and  form,  all  ex- 
press their  different  offi;;es  and  characters  ;  thoir 
dress  is  of  different  fashions,  and  suitable  to  the 
stations  in  which  they  act.  To  view  them  in 
their  situation  they  appear  as  perfect  as  though 
alive,  with  all  the  air  and  gaiety  of  actors  on  the 
stage.  Smith  sits  in  his  bed  by  the  side  of  the 
gaol — his  exhibition  begins  about  a  foot  from  the 
floor,  and  compasses  the  whole  space  of  the  ceil- 
ing. The  uppermost  is  a  man  whom  he  calls 
the  tamborine  player,  or  sometimes  Doctor 
Blunt,  standing  with  all  the  pride  and  appear- 
jnc?  of  a  master  nm?ician  ;  his  left  hand  akiui* 


1 


I 


■f 


fa 

bo  his  right  hand  on  his  lamhorine,  drpssed  in 
su°\ab  eSlorm.     Next  him,  below,  .s  a    ady, 
ten  eelly  dressed,  gracefully  sitting  m  a  hand- 
fome  swing  ;  at  her  left  hand  stands  a  man  nej-t- 
Wdre  sed'in  the   character  of  a  -rvant    ho  d^ 
4  the  side  of  the  swing  w.th  Ins  "gb  j  J.s  'e^rt 
1.      1  ^r,  i,i«  hin   in  an  easy  posture,  waiting  tne 
t"y's  m     o'P"  On  her  ri^ft  hand  stands  a  man 
lenteclTy  dressed,  in  the  character  oi  agai/au' 
fn  a   graceful    posture  for    dancing,      beneath 
Eese  a  ee turves  sits  a  young  man  and  a  yomy 
Sri    (apparently  about  14,)  in  a  posture  of  tut- 
S.  at  each  end  of  a  hoard,  decently   dressed^ 
Dfrectly  under  these  stands  one  whom  he  calls 
IZmril  or  sometimes  the  father  of  h.s  fam  - 
fy      be  stands  erect;  his  features  prom.nen 
ii'cheeks  red  ;  his-teeth  wh.te,   set  m  order 
lis  gums  and  lips  red ;  h.s  .u,«e  shaded  black 
representing  the   nostrils ;  h.s   d.-ess   .s  that  ol 
the  Harlequin  ;  in  one  hand  he  holds  an  .nfant 
wUh  the  3tber'he  plays  or  beats  mus.c  ;  be  ore 
him  stand  two  children,   apparently   Ibre^e  or 
iZ  years  old,  holding  each  other  by  one  hand 
Tthe  act  of  playing  or  dancing,  -h.ch.  w.th  a 
man  dressed  in  fashion,  who  appear.'  in  the  char 
Tcter  of  a  steward,    sometimes  m  one  ^''"^J'^" 
and  sometimes  in  another,  makes  "P  tj^jj"^; 
all  of  which  you  have  at  one  view.     1  hen  com 
n^ences  the  performance.     The  first  operaUon 
is  from  the  tamborine   player,  or  master,  who 
giv  :  two  or  three  single  strokes  on  h.s  tambo- 

fine,  that  may  be  heard  in  ^^V ;P^'' ^^'^' ^Ze. 
without  moving  hi*  body.    He   then   dances 


grac 
la  ml 
time 
few 
inth 
two  I 
bytl: 
whis 
whic 
danc 
actni 
the  < 
an  o 
star^ 
with 
ackr 
tliinj 
conti 
cont 
shov 
enl  I 
chai 
edli 
sliov 
bch 
feric 
inve 
I 
a  let 
I  tin 
ingl 
plac 


'^mr, 


■-« 


8 


is  tamT:iorine,  drrssed  in 
t  him,  below,  is  a  lady, 
lefully  sitting  in  a  hand- 
t  hand  stands  amanne?t- 
acter  of  a  servant,  hold- 
ng  with  his  right,  his  left 
easy  posture,  waiting  the 
r  riajht  hand  stands  a  man 
he  diaracter  of  a  gallant, 

for  dancing,  beneath 
a  young  man  and  a  young 
t  14,)  in  a  posture  of  tiit- 
joard.  decently  dressed, 
stands  one  whom  he  calls 
ries  the  father  of  his  fami- 

his  features  prominent ; 
eeth  white,  set  in  order  ; 
1 ;  his  nose  shaded  black, 
ir'ils ;  his   dress   is  that  of 
e  hand  he  holds  an  mfant, 
ys  or  beats  music  ;  before 
Iren,   apparently   three  or 
ig  each  other  by  one  hand 
or  dancing,  which,  with  a 
n,  who  appear.' in  the  char- 
sometimes  in  one  situation 
other,  makes  up  the  show, 
eat  one  view.     Then  com- 
ance.     The  first  operation 
,e   player,  or  master,  who 
ingle  strokes  on  his  tambo- 
ard  in  any  part  of  the  house, 

:  body.    He   then   dances 


79 


gracefully  a  fow  steps,  without  touching  the 
lamborine  ;  the  lady  is  thensvrung  two  or  three 
times  by  the  steward  ;  then  the  gallant  takes  a 
few  steps ;  theti  the  two  below  tilt  a  few  times, 
in  the  most  easy,  pleasant  manner;  then  the 
two  children  dance  a  little,  holding  each  other 
by  the  hand ; — after  this,  Smith  begjns  to  sing  or 
whistle  a  tune,  to  which  they  are  to  dance,  al; 
which,  the  tamborine  strikes,  and  every  one 
dances  to  the  tune,  with  motion,  ease  and  ex- 
actness not  to  be  described.  Many  have  been 
the  observations  of  spectators  ;  amongst  them 
an  old  German  observed,  that  when  he  was 
starving,the  seven  days,  he  was  making  a  league 
with  the  Devil,  and  that  he  helped  him.  AlH 
acknowledge  with  me,  that  it  exceeds  every 
tiling  they  ever  saw  or  imagined.  His  whole 
conduct  from  the  first,  has  been,  and  is,  one 
continued  scen'e  of  mystery.  He  has  never 
shown  any  iJea  or  knowledge  of  his  trial  or  pres- 
ent situation  ;  he  seems  happy  ;  his  irons  and 
chain:  are  no  apparent  inconvenience  ;  content- 
ed like  a  dog  or  a  monkey,  broke  to  his  chain ; 
shows  no  more  idea  of  any  thine  past,  than  if 
be  had  no  recollection.  He,  in  short,  is  a  niys- 
ferious  character,  possessing  a  wonderful  art  of 
invention,  beyond  common  capacity. 

1  am  almost  ashamed  'o  forward  you  so  long 
a  letter  upon  the  subject,  and  so  unintelligible  ; 
I  think,  if  I  could  have  done  justice  in  describ- 
ing the  exhibition,  it  would  have  been  worthy  a 
place  in  the   Royal  Gazette,  and   bettor  worth 


r 


■v^^' 


80 


the    attention  of  the  public    than  all  the  Wax 
work  ever  exhibited  in  this  province. 

1  am,  with  atl  due  respect,  dear  hrt, 
vour  very  humble  servant.    .■, 
^  ^       WALTER  BATES. 

Thom'^s  Wetmore,  Esq. 

Attorney  GenerA'. 

P   S.  Wednesday,  the  28th.     This  morning 
1  found  he  had  added  to  his  works  a  drummer 
placed  at  the  left  of  his  tamborine  player,  equnl 
Kpearance,   and  exceeding  in  performance  ; 
leKe  dvnr;  with  either  hand,  or  both  occa- 
sionally, in  concert  wi'h  the  tambonne,   keep- 
ng  time  with  perfect  exactness,  somet.mes     t^ 
\L,    at  others  standing  or  danc.ng.     He  bad 
nlso  in  a  most  striking  manner,  changed  the  po- 
bn  of  his  scene.     The  lady  above  descrdoed 
o  be   sitting?  gracefully  in  her   sw.ng,    with  so 
nany   attendants  and  admirers,   .s  now  repre- 
sented swinging  in   a  dejected  I-^  "-'  -\»  J 
•   f  .,»   ;•,  lipr  arms  '  her  ga    ant  lias  leu 
vniino'  iniant   m  ner  arms  ,   "ci  g, 

Lr,  and  is  taking  the  young  girl  before  de.cr.- 
IZ    about  14,  by  the  hand,  with  an  air  of  great 
^aU^ntry"  le'di.4   her  and  dancing  to  the  tune 
S  perfect  exactness,  representing  more  than 
Tan   be   desvribrd.     0«   viewing  this,    an   o  > 
Scotchman  observed,  "  some  say  he  is  mad  oU,- 
ers  he  IS  a  fool;  but  I  say   he    .s    the  sharpen 
";n    I   ever  met  with,  and  1  do  not  believe  he 
was  ever  equalled  by   man"     J»-«, -f  "'"^^^ 
gentleman  from  Boston,  haying  heard  the  abou^ 
description,  came  to  see  the  perlormance,  an.! 


be, 
J 
ing 
mai 
not 
saic 
I  ai 
tba 
and 
his 
drc 
He 
pea 
thn 
two 

IT 

i  C( 

thr* 
of  s 
hviv 

Tid 

nd 
ncx 
fani 
out 


81 


} 


iblic    than  all  the  Wax- 
Ihis  province. 
le  respect,  dear  Siri 
imbie  servant.     . 
WALTER  BATES. 
Esq. 
iniey  GeneiAl. 

be  28th.     This  morning 
to  his  works  a  drummer, 
tamborine  player,  equal 
ceedine;  in  performance  ; 
ther  hand,  or  both  occa- 
•h  the  tamborine,   kecp- 
xactncss,  sometimes  sit- 
ng  or  dancing.     He  had 
manner,  changed  the  po- 
'hc  lady  above  described 
y  in  her   swing,    with  so 
admirers,   is  now  repre- 
dejected  posture,  with  a 
rms  ;  her  "gallant  has  left 


young  girf  before  descri- 
hand,  with  an  air  of  great 
r  and  dancing  to  the  tune 
ss,  representing  more  than 
o'u  viewing  this,  an  o'l"  ^ 
"  some  say  he  is  mad,  otii-  ^ 
I  say  he  is  the  sharpi  -I 
h  and  1  do  not  believe  he 
Y  man,"  This  evening  a 
on,  having  heard  the  abovc^ 
)  see  the  performance,  and 


dellare<!  he  could  say,  as  the  Queen  of  Sheba 
did,  that  "  the  half  had  not  been  told." 

[To  this  the  Editor  of  the  Gazette  adds  the  following 
rcraarka — "  VVc  have  given  an  entire  copy  of  tlie  above 
letter,  which  lias  excitetl  our  astonislimcnt,  and  will  prib- 
ably,  thatofevrry  other  person  who  has  not  scqn  the 
exhibition  and  performance  d(?scribed  in  it.  Those  who 
are  acquainted  with  (he  .Sherifl' know  !)im  to  be  incapa- 
ble of  stating  falsehoods^  or  attempting  in  any  way  to 
practice  a  deception,  and  will  of  course  give  credit  to 
'hs  statement  of  facts,  wonderful  as  tlicy  may  appear  to 
be,  which  he  has  made." — PvB.] 

July  1st,  in  the  morning,  I  found  him  repair- 
ing bis  drummer.  He  said  ho  had  a  gentle- 
man and  lady  come  from  France  ;  but  could 
not  put  them  up — And  looking  archly  at  me, 
said,  "  the  Devil  had  no  chain  about  his  neck." 
1  answered  him,  if  he  did  not  behave  worse 
than  the  Devils  I  would  give  him  more  liberty  ; 
and  took  his  chain  from  his  neck,  and  put  it  Xy 
his  feet.  He  then  produced  a  man,  fashionably 
dressed,  and  in  one  minute  bad  him  dancing — 
He  said  he  had  no  clothes  fit  for  his  lady  to  ap- 
pear in  company;  but  if  be  had  a  needle  and 
thread,  he  could  have  "hem  all  fit  for  a  ball  in 
two  days.  To  gratify  the  spectators  present 
I  consc^ited,^and  they  soon  supplied  him  with 
thread,  needle,  calico,  ribands,  and  a  small  pair 
of  scissars,  the  first  thing  he  had  had  to  cut  with, 
hhvi  ig  used  his  teeth.  He  seemed  pleased, 
i  id  began  sewing  by  candle  light,  but  laid  it  by 
nd  said  he  could  work  better  in  the  dark.  The 
next  day.  louiid  him  making  clothes  for  hi« 
family — He  said  he  had  a  drum-major  coming 
'"ut  from  France,  who  would  beat  two  drumi 
H 


«2 

at  once,  and  his  wife  would  stand  upon  her  h«a<i 
and  bu  t  three  ;  that  he  must  have  drum-sticks, 
lit  something  for  drums,  which  was   urn.sh  d 
He  made  some  of  brass  and  some  of  tin,  roak 
fng  different  sounds,  lrimc?.ed  in  elegant  style, 
wfth  ribands  and  tassels,  wh.ch  would  have  ap- 
peared elegant  in  a  toy-3bop.     As  b.  proceeded 
L  was  supplied  with  every  thing  ti..t  he  want- 
ed  ;  and  was  very  industrious  in  making  hn  im- 

'^"rhrSupren.e  Court  being  alont  to  be  held  . 
at  Frcderickton,  and  feeling  ^'j-^^.f '"'j;^ 
1.,e  fate  of  the  prisoner,  1  atteuv>.«  »he  Court 
and  having  ascertained  that  ih.  d.  .nny  of  the 
prisoner  vvould  not  be  fata'.,  »/''  .'  .ft\fter  I 
:.ao!er  informed  mc  that,  l.e  first  u^:a  after  I 
fefl  home,  Smith  bad  dr.'vn  'he  »..ple  of  the 
chain  that  had  been  about.- neck,  and  had 
concealed  both  the  chain  nm  i -c  staple  so  tl.a 

V  ii„,     .„.  fminil      'il      hssn  the  wall 

tliev  cou  d  nL.  oe  louna.      ►'       '^=  .       ., 

w  sbrok.n  at  the  s-  n.>  Urtic,  but  he  ch.m  did 
^J^outthatway.  Astheoasiie  giaos  was 
whole.     The  r._om,  .ud  -very  .hing  m  .t,  had 
been  strictly  searched  without  discovering    it, 
J; "t  could^.ot  be  conce,  ed  how  the  glass  was 
t,rA.     ■«  il  was  entirely  out  of  hre  reac :.     On 
..oiuv    :ito  the  snol,  he  said  U  me    that  t..e  De- 
"d  loid  his  old^Drummer  :f  he  d.d  not  put  tha 
chain  out  of  tde  way  he  would  cerla.nly  get 
about  his  neck  again;  that  h.  hated -.and  had 

murdered  it,  and  put  it  under  ^he  ;3.--t-but  he 
feared  he  should  have  no  peace  till  he  la.  ed  .. 
a.ain.     i  told  hirn  he  must  raise  it,  and  that  » 


dri 

a] 
&c 
foi 
ed 
en 
ou 
bi 
w 
w 
bi 
th 

h 


d  stand  upon  her  h«a<i 
lUst  have  drum-sticks, 
which  was  furnished, 
nd  some  of  tin,  roak- 
imed  in  elegant  style, 
which  would  have  ap- 
op.  Asbf  proceeded, 
fy  thing  tl.nt  ho  want- 
rious  in  making  hi?  im- 

leing  aloiit  to  be  held 
eling   r<.xiou3  to  know 
1  atteiK>i«    'he  Court, 
hat   tho  d'snny  of  the 
ataU  1  r.:!  jr,i.:d.     The 
,   tiie  first  li^'ht  after  I 
Irawn  •he  a'.H^Ae  of  the 
jcut  i,'''  neck,  and  had 
1  iiikS  (■■>«  staple  so  that 
TV      l-\ss  in  the  wall 
V,mc,  but   he  ch  lin  did 
s  the  c-Aiile  giais  was 
r!  .ivery  thing  in  it,  had 
without  discovering    it, 
:e,  ed  how  the  ^lass  was 
y  out  of  hi^  read:.     On 
said  t(  me,  that  tue  De- 
ler  if  he  did  not  put  that 
f,e  would  certainly  get  it 
thathf  hatc.i  jt.  and  had 
t  under  the  dl-t— but  he 
no  pe.ice  till  he  raised  it 
must  raise  it,  and  that  ( 


83 

would   not  put  it  on  him   again  if  he  behaved 
well,     I  then  took  off  his  handcuffs,  gave  him 
watex  to  wash  himself,   with  a  clean  shirt  and 
jjicket — A  young  mac  gave  him  a  black  hand- 
kerchief,   which  he   put   about   his   neck,   and 
seened  pleased — wished  he  had   a  fiddle  ;  he 
would  give  his  shirt  for  a  fiddle,  that  he  might 
play  fpr  his  family  to  dance— He  was  offered  a 
fife  ;  he  said  he  believed  he  could  learn  to  play 
— He  then  took  the  fifo,   end  would  play   any 
tune,  either  right  or  left  handed.     I    told  him 
if  he  would   behave  well,  I  would  not  put  his 
handcuffs  on  that  day— he  said  then   he  would 
have  his  family  in  good   order ;  but  that   when 
he   sent  one  hand  to  do  any  thing,   the   other 
would  follow  it.     Gave  him  sone  materials  that 
he  wanted,  and  then  left  him.     This   was  the 
17th  of  July. 

On  the  18th,  found  him  at  work  at  his  chil- 
dren, preparing  for  improvements.  Gave  him 
a  pen  and  paint,  a.id  many  articles  for  clothing, 
&c.  He  had  before  used  coal  and  his  own  blood 
for  colouring.  He  appeared  thankful,  and  talk- 
ed more  coherently.  To  account  for  the  brok- 
en glass,  he  said  to  me — My  old  Drummer  cried 
out  for  more  air,  his  family  stood  so  thick  about 
him^Well,  said  I,  tell  me  how  to  get  it  and  I 
will  go  to  work  at  it.  He  told  me  to  make  a 
wisp  of  straw  long  enough  to  reach  the  glass  and 
break  it,  which  1  did,  and  destroyed  the  wisp 
that  it  might  not  be  discovered. 

He  continued  his  employment,  repairing  and 
improving  his  ""amily,  dressing  theuj  w»i\y,  an4 


84 

Qaintiug  their  features  all  new  ;  anJ  adding  t» 
his  exhibition,  until  he  said  they  w^re  all  pres- 
ent that  were  coming.     With  the  money  that  he 
had  received  from  spectators,  he  supplied  him- 
'  self  with  calico,  and   about  the  lOth  of  August, 
completed  the  show,  which  consisted  of  twenty 
four  characters,  men  and  women  ;  six  beat  mu- 
sic in   concert   with  the  fiddle,   while   sixteen 
danced  to  the  tune.     The  other  two  were  fight- 
ers ;  Bonaparte  with  a  sword,  fighting  an  Irish- 
man  with   his  shillaly.      His   musicians   were 
dressed  in  uniforms ;  some  drummers,  some  tam- 
borine  players,  and  some  bell  ringers,     in  the 
centre  of  his  dancers  stood  his  dancing-master, 
in  a  military  dress,  with  hat  and  boots  on,  and 
gloves  on  his  hands. '   A  soldier  in  Scotch  um- 
foi.1',  at  an  advanced  station,  acted  as  a  sentry, 
stepping  regularly  one  foot  beibre    the  other. 
Smith  would  sit  before  them  and  play  a  tune  on 
kiie  fiddle,  to  which  they  would  all  dance,  and 
beat  to  the   music   in  concert,  one  half  on  the 
Tight  hand  to  one  part  of  the  tunc,  and  the  other 
on  the   left  hand  to  the  other  part,  then  all  to- 
gether, dancing  'o  the  tune   as  regular  and  as 
liatural  as  if  alive  ;  the  dancing-master  dancing 
with  his  right  hand  and  foot  with  one  part,  and 
his  left  hand  and  foot  with  the  other  part,  and 
then  together  with  the  whole,  without  any  stop 
or  hindrance,  to  any  tune  that  he  shoulc'  play. 
The  figures  were  set  in  motion  by  strings,  or  pul- 
lies,  which  he  acted  upon  with  his  toes,   while 
he  played  upon  the  violin — which,  being  done 
TTithout  any  violent  exertion  of  his  body,  ani 


audi       I 


wil 
we 

wo 
iih 
ali 

All 
tw 
col 
pa 
of 
up 

foi 

an 

th< 

gi( 

ph 

A 

a  t 

wl 

foi 

cu 

uf 

ch 

mi 

Al 

ex 

sa 

nc 

nc 

w: 

th 

cr 


85 


new  ;  and  adding  ti> 
id  tbey  w^re  all  pres- 
ith  the  money  that  he 
ors,  he  supplied  hiin- 
it  the  loth  of  August, 
:h  consisted  of  twenty 
women  ;  six  beat  mu- 
fiddle,  while  sixteen 
>  other  two  were  fight- 
ord,  fighting  an  Irish- 

His  musicians  were 
;  drummers,  some  tam- 

bell  ringers.  In  the 
>d  his  dancing-master, 
hat  and  boots  on,  and 
soldier  in  Scotch  uni- 
ion,  acted  as  a  sentry, 
oot  before  the  other, 
em  and  play  a  tune  on 

would  ail  dance,  and 
ncert,  one  half  on  the 
the  tune,  and  the  other 
)tber  part,  then  all  to- 
uhe  as  regular  and  as 
ancing-aiaster  dancing 
oot  with  one  part,  and 
ith  the  other  part,  and 
lole,  without  any  stop 
e  that  he  shouh'  play, 
olion  by  strings,  or  pul- 
n  with  his  toes,  while 
n — which,  being  done 
tion  of  his  body,  and 


without  disccverin*  the  me.>n3  by  which  they 
were  made  to  act,  tjave  to  tiie'  whole  an  air  of 
wonder,  vvhitli  struck  the  beholder  with  aston- 
fthiii;;  effect.  Ilis  tighters,  if  they  had  beett 
alive,  could  not  act  and  appear  mure  natural. 
All  his  figures  wttre  formed  of  straw,  curiousi)' 
twisted  and  iriierwoven.  The  coal  he  used  for 
colouring,  he  got  from  a  burnt  timber  in  the 
partition  wall,  and  Iheir  first  clothing  was  made 
of  the  pieces  of  his  garments  which  he  had  torn 
up.    ' 

It  is  impossible  for  me  to  do  it  justice  ;  there- 
fore I  shaMnot  attempt  any  further  description, 
and  only  add,  that  great  numbers  came  to  see 
the  exhibition,  and  to  view  his  person,  from  a 
great  distance — among  whom  were  several 
physicians,  and  ail  expressed  their  astonishment. 
A  gentleman  from  Pennsylvania,  Doct.  Prior, 
a  man  of  learning,  who  told  me  hv.  had  spent  his 
whole  life  travelling  for  foreign  and  literary  in- 
formation, and  had  made  it  a  point  to  view  all 
curiosities  and  phenomena  that  he  could  hear 
of;  having  heard  that  I  had  an  extraordinary 
character  in  prison,  came  to  beg  the  favor  of 
me  to  let  him  see  him  ;  with  which  I  complied. 
After  viewing  his  person,  and  every  part  of  his 
exhibition  and  performance,  he  was  pleased  to 
say,  that  he  had  travelled  through  all  the  Conti- 
nent of  America,  and  part  of  Europe,  but  had 
never  met  with  the  equal  of  it — that  lie  was  now 
writing  memoirs  of  his  own  life  and  travels,  and  -^ 
that  he  should  not  fail  to  liil  a  page  with  a  des- 
cription of  this  wonderful  performance. 
H  2 


86 

With  other  spectators,  a  gentleman  by    the 
name  of   Doctor  Couglvn,  from  Ireland,  who 
had  heen  Surgeon  in  his  Majesfy's  service,  both 
by  sea  and    lar.t,    a  gentleman  of  accomplish^ 
nients  and  learning,   came  to  see  this  new  and 
extraordinary  exhibition.     Aftof^baving  viewed 
the  scene   repeatedly  for  sevelH  days  that  he 
tarried  at  Kingston,  he  declared  that  he  had  trav- 
elled through  Europe,  bad   lived  in   England, 
Ireland  and  Scotland— at  Hamburgh,  and  other 
places  famous  for  such  exhibitions,  but  that  he 
Ld  never  met  with  any  thing  ot  the  kind  that 
equalled  the  one  befoi^^  him.  # 

Aueust  13th~when  the  gaoler  went  into  the 
gaol  Smith  said  to  him  that  he  had  been  fishing, 
and  bad  caught  a  large  fish,  and  wished  him  to 
cook  it  for  him  ;  on  looking,  tlie  gaoler  saw  the 
chain  that  had  been  missing,  lying  by  him  on  the 

floor.  r. 

After  this.  Smith  began  a  new  scene  oi  mys- 
tery, and  commenced  fortune-telling,  m  which, 
if  he  did  not  possess  the  power  of  divination, 
he  was  at  least  wonderfully  successful.  He  told 
his  fortune  in  his  tea-cup;  after  looking  in  it 
some  time  he  took  the  cup  and  kissed  it,  and  told 
the  gaoler  that  he  was  going  away  from  this 
place,  that  he' was  going  over  the  water,  and 
wanted  a  box  to  put  his  family  in;  that  he  saw 
there  were  three  papers  written  and  sent  about 
him ;  and  that  one  was  a  large  letter  which  he 
did  not  understand. 

In  the   evening  1  went  in  to  see  bun,  and  as 
aiy  curiosity  was  greatly  excited  to  knpw  tjie 


<or 

P' 
in 

ai 

w 

SB 
W 

w 

di 
hi 
w 

ai 
k 
ai 
tl 
a 
a 

V 

d 
a 
h 
c 
I 
i 
I 
1 


a  gentleman  by  the 
N,  from  Ireland,  who 
lajesfy's  service,  both 
leman  of  accomplish-* 
e  to  see  this  new  and 
Af(|*  having  viewed 

seveW  days  that  he 
:laredthathehadtrav- 
ad   lived  in   England, 

Hamburgh,  and  other 
xbibitions,  but  that  he 

thing  of  the  kind  that 
lim.  # 

e  gaolef  went  into  the 
bat  he  had  been  fishing, 
sh,  and  wished  him  to 
ing,  the  gaoler  saw  the 
ng,  lying  by  him  on  the 

in  a  new  scene  of  mys- 
rtune-telling,  in  which, 
;  power  of  divination, 
ly  successful.  He  told 
:up  ;  after  looking  in  it 
p  and  kissed  it,  and  told 

going  away  from  this 
ig  over  the  wrater,    and 

family  in;  that  he  saw 
i  written  and  sent  about 

a  large  letter  which  he 

nt  in  to  see  him,  and  as 
tly  excited  to  kn9W  tjie 


■origin  of  so  extraordinary  a  character,  and  the     , 
previous  events  of  his  life,  I  hoped  (o  draw  some 
information  from  him,  but  he  would  not  answer 
any  questions,  and  took  no  Uv^'icu  of  Ihein  ;  but 
when  the  spirit  moved  him,  he  would  talk.     He 
said  that  he  was  going  away  from  here — that  he 
was  going  among  his  enemies — that  every  body- 
would  be  afraid  of  him,  and  look  upon  him  with 
distrust   and  horror— that    he  wa^  disturbed   in 
his  sleep— that  once  in  eight  or   ten  nights  he 
was  troubletf  with  all  sorts  of  creatures  coming 
about  him  ;  great   hogs    with    cloven    feet,  all 
kinds  of  cfjtle,  and  creeping  things,  snakes  and 
adders,  frogaand  toads,  and  every  ugly  thing — 
that  he  would  start  up  from  his  sleep  and  walk 
about  the    prison,   then  lie  down,  get   asleep, 
and  they   would  come   about   him    again  ;  he 
would  get  up  again  and  sit  and  talk  to  his  chil- 
dren, and  sometimes  take  his  fiddle  and  play  to 
amuse   himself,   and  drive  away  these    dreary 
hours.     He  said    these  snakes   and    adders  he 
could  read  very  well  ;  he  knew    what  they  all 
meant,  and  most  of  the  rest  of  them— but  these 
frogs  and   toads  coming  together  he  could  not 
understand  ;  but  he  knew  he  was  going  to  leave 
this  place  and  go  on  the  water ;  that  he  could 
see  as  clearly  as  he  could  see   me  standmg  by 
him  that  he  should  find  enemies,  and  every  bo- 
dy would  be  afraid  of  him,  but  he  should  hurt 
no  body  ;  he  should  find  trouble,  and  have  irons 
upon  iiim,  but  tlw.y  should  come  off  again  ;  that 
the    crickets    came,  and    would  get    upon   his 
cbildren,  and  sillg  among   them  ;  that  be  Jiked 


-ij 


4 


I 


88 


to  bear  them  ;  that  his  mother  always  tolj  bin 
(bat  he  must  not  hurt  them,  &c.  ;  and  going  on 
in  thij  way,    by  a  natural   association  of  ideas, 
seemed  to  betray  the  nature  of  his  early  educa- 
tion.    His  mother  (he  said)  always    gave  him 
good  advice,  but  he  had  not  always  followed  it 
— he  had  been  a  bad  fellow — done  that  which 
he  ought  not  to  have  done,  and  he  had  suffered 
for  it  ;  had  been  struck,  and  had  the  marks,  but 
he  forgave    all  his  enemies  ;  the  Lord  says,  if 
you  would   ask  forgiveness  of  him,  forgive  tbj 
brother   also — we    cannot    expect  forgiveness, 
except    we   repent  and   forgive    otl#H>.     The 
word    of  God  is  plain :  except  ye  forgive    thy 
brother  his  trespasses,  neither  will  your  Heav- 
enly Father  forgive  you  when  you  ask  of  him. 
The  scripture  says.    Repent  and  pray,  lest  ye 
enter  into  temptation,     I  work  and   pray  with 
my  family  continually — and  except  you  repent, 
you  will  aJso  perish  in  your  sins  ;  you  are  a  sin- 
ner as  well  as  I  am  ;  all  men  are  sinners  before 
God  ;  consider  you  have  work  to  do  as  well  as 
I ;  you  have  a  soul  (o  save  as  well  as  the  poor 
prisoner — watch  therefore   and  pray.     1  watch 
here,   an<l  pray  night  and  day,  but  I  shall  not 
stay  long.     He  intended  to  go  to  sea  as  super- 
cargo of  some  'vessel,  or  he  could  get  a  living 
with  his  family  as  a  show,   in  anyi  coutltry  but 
England,  and  he  had  never  seen  such  a  show  in 
England,  or  any   wherp  else — that  he  dreamed 
pf  the  whole  of  then\  at  once,  and  that  he  must 
go  to  work  and  make   them,  and  it   would    be 
better  for  him ;  if  he  did  not  it   would   be  bad 


\v 
hi 
in 
ot 
nf 
b< 
m 
nt 

Pi 
hi 
w 
n< 
hi 
hi 
at 
si 

Pl 

01 

ai 
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s; 
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i\ 

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a: 

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E 


liMM 


„iii:^iiirn-p~  *'^-~'-'»' 


"il)';jp*— 


other  always  tolii  bin 
n,  &c.  ;  and  going  on 
I  association  of  ideas, 
ire  of  liis  early  educa- 
id)  always  gave  him 
not  always  followed  it 
low — done  that  whicii 
e,  and  he  had  suffered 
ind  had  the  marks,  but 
es  ;  the  Lord  says,  if 
!ss  of  him,  forgive  thy 
(t  expect  forgiveness, 
forgive  otl^s.  The 
xcept  ye  forgive  thy 
iitlicr  will  your  Heav- 
whcn  you  ask  of  him. 
eut  and  pray,  lest  ye 

work  and  pray  with 
jnd  except  you  repent, 
lur  sins  ;  you  are  a  sin- 
men  are  sinners  before 
B  work  to  do  as  well  as 
ve  a%  well  as  the  poor 
e  and  pray.  1  watch 
id  day,  but  I  shall  not 

to  go  to  sea  as  super- 
r  he  could  get  a  living 
•,  in  anys  country  but 
rer  seen  such  a  show  in 
else — that  he  dreamed 
once,  and  that  he  must 
em,  and  it  would  be 
I  not  it   would   be  bad 


fi.jiiiii'ii["i  ii'hii'i^'*'' 


8d 


1^ 


with  him  ;  tint  he  had  worked  ever  since  and 
had  almost  finished  them,  but  there  *vas  a  shoe- 
maker and  a  tailor  wiiich  had  not  come  for  want 
of  room  ;  that  he  wouki  make  room  if  he  did 
not  go  away.  He  said  he  had  been  here  until 
he  was  contented  to  stay  here  ;  and  content- 
ment was  Hie  brightest  jewel  of  this  life.  He 
never  enjoyed  himself  better  than  he  did  at 
present  with  his  family,  and  he  did  not  care  for 
himself  so  that  his  family  looked  well.  He 
would  be  willing  to  die,  and  should  like  to  die 
now,  rath^than  go  among  his  enemies  ;  but  he 
had  one  fnfnd  ;  he  believed  it  was  old  Willy  ; 
he  was  in  Erigland,  and  was  always  his  friend, 
and  he  would  go  and  sec  him  ;  that  he  had  one 
sister  in  England  whom  he  wanted  to  sec — she 
played  well  on  the  Piano  Forte  ;  he  could  play 
on  it  well  himself;  that  she  married  ;>  Lieuten- 
ant in  the  army,  but  he  was  a  Captain  now  ;  if 
he  could  he  would  go  to  see  her  in  England, 
where  he  had  friends;  that  hn  had  an  uncle  in 
Liverpool,  a  merchant,  and  looking  earnestly  at 
me,  said,  my  name  is  not  Smith,  my  name  is 
Henry  Moon  ;  i^y  father's  name  (I  think  he 
said)  is  Edward  Moon  ;  I  was  educated  at 
Cambridge  College,  in  England,  and  under- 
stand English,' French  and  Latin,  well,  and  can 
speak  and  write  five  different  languages  ;  that 
he  could  write  any  hand,  as  handsome  or  as  bad 
as  I  ever  saw — but  be  had  been  a  bad  man,  ind 
had  suffered  for  it,  and  hoped  to  do  better.  Ho 
said  he  had  five  hundred  pounds  in  the  Bank  of 
England,    which    was  in  the  care  of  Mr.  Tur- 


ij.»<X«»'" 


■V 


-J 


90 


WER,  and  wished  very  much  to  have  his  wife  get 
it,  as  he  did  not  know  where  he  should  go,  but 
knew  he  must  meet  with  trouble  ;  he   did  not 
fear  what  man  could  do  to  him,  for  he  could  but 
kill  him,  and  he  should  like  to  die  now.     After 
hearing  this  talk  a  long  time,  1  left  him. 
%      Aug.  14th,   in   the  morning  he  Looked  in  h^s 
cup  again,  and  told  the  gaoler  that  .hose  papers 
were  coming,  and  would  be  here  to  day.     About 
fiiur  o'clock  I  received  a  package  from  Mr.  Chip- 
man,  containing   his  pardon,  and  two  other  let- 
ters, just   as   he  had  predicted.     At  evening  I 
went  to  see  him,  found  him  in  his  beff.     He  got 
up,  but  said  he  could  not  eat— asked  for  new  po- 
tatoes, and  said  to  the  gaoler's  wife,  you  had 
new  potatoes  yesterday  for  dinner.     Mrs.  Reid 
asked  how  he  should  know  it,  as  they  were  the 
first  she  had  had.     He  did  not  appear  to  be  in 
his  usual  humor.     I  then  intended  to  communi- 
cate to  him  the  news  of  his  pardon,  and  to  im- 
press upon  bim,  if  possible,   some  sens*!  of  his 
situation — and  told  the  gaoler  and  all  present  to 
leave  the  room,  and  shut  the  door. 

Ho  had  never  entirely  recovered  from  his 
pretended  insanity,  nor  did  he  until  after  dis- 
charged f.om  my  custody, /or  similar  reasons, 
undoubtedly,'  to  those  which  first  produced  it, 
but  i  was  in  hopes  to  make  some  impression  on 
him  by  promising  assistance  to  get  him  out  of 
the  Province,  and  shewing  him  that  compassion 
which  humanity  Beemed  to  demand — and  for 
that  purpose,  1  inforuied  him  that  I  had  receiv- 
ed his  pardon  ;  that  Mr.  Knox  bad  been  dowo 


0 


uch  to  have  his  wife  get 
rherc  he  should  go,  but 
th  trouble  ;  he   did  not 
to  him,  for  he  could  but 
like  to  die  now.     After 
time,  I  left  him. 
lorning  he  Looked  in  h'.s 
gaoler  that  .hose  papers 
1  be  here  today.     About 
1  package  from  Mr.  Chip- 
irdon,  and  two  other  let- 
redicted.     At  evening  I 
him  in  bis  belf-     He  got 
jteat — asked  for  new  po- 
e  gaoler's  wife,  you  had 
f  for  dinner.     Mrs.  Reid 
now  it,  as  they  were  the 
!  did  not  appear  to  be  in 
en  intended  to  comrauni- 
of  his  pardon,  and  to  inv 
>s»ible,  some  sense  of  his 
!  gaoler  and  all  present  to 
ut  the  door. 

irely  recovered  from  his 
nor  did  he  until  after  dis- 
fcdy,  for  similar  reasons, 
5  which  first  produced  it, 
make  some  impression  on 
stance  to  get  him  out  of 
wing  him  that  compassion 
ed  to  demand — and  for 
ed  him  that  1  had  receiv- 
Mr.  Knox  bad  been  dowo 


A2^     .VV. 


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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

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iji,,iiiLji,|j' —  )"'^- .1^!.  ■'Hff!' !{.rj,   :•  !■    ■'^A'"     '-^i^-' 


•r^'^-w 


91 


to  see  him  and  had  forgiven  him  all  the  injurie? 
he  had  done  him  ;  that  his  Attorney  had  been 
his  friend,  and  by  petitioning  the  President  and 
Council,  stating  that  he  was  a  young  man.  and, 
that  this  was  the  first  instance  of  horse-stealing 
that  had  been  before  the  Court  in  this  Province, 
and  prayins;  that  mercy  might  be  extended  to 
save   his   life,    the   President  and  Council  had 
bpen  graciously  pleased  to  extend  their  mercy 
to  him,  and  had  respited  the  sentence  pronoun- 
ced on  him— and  that  I  was  now  ready  to   re- 
lease him,  on  his  entering  into  recognizance  fc 
appear  in  the  Supreme  Court  to  plead  his  par- 
don, when   called   upon,  reminding  hiin  at  tli« 
same  time,  that   he  was  not  pardoned  for  any 
other  crimes  he  might  have  heretofore  commit- 
ted.    The  only  notice  he  took  of  what  I  said, 
was    "  I  wish  you  would   bring  me  some  pota- 
toes   when   you  come  again."     I  proceeded  to 
may,  that  as  soon  as  he  was  ready  and  would  let 
me  know  where  he  wished  to  go,   I  would  get 
him  a  passage,  and  help  him  away— that  I  woi  Id 
get  him  some  clothing,  and  give  him  time  to  put 
his  family  in  good  order,  and  give  him  a  box  to 
put  them  up  in,   as  they  might  be  the  mean >  o 
getting  him  a  living  any  where,   until  he  c  juid 
find  better  employment,  without  being  driven  to 
the  necessitv  of  stealing.  Hesaid  tome,"  haven  t 
ynu  got  boy's  aiul  girls  that  want  to  see  my  fami- 
ly dance?  Bring   all  your  family  to  see  them  ; 
1  will   show   them  as  much  as  they   please  tor 
pothins;,  but  others   shall   pay   me,  I  am  deter- 
„,i„eH/'-- without  the  least  notice  of,  or  appear- 


m 


i„ff  to  unJprstnnd  «hat  I  had  said   keeping  Up 
t"f.L"  imposing  rn.nnnr  with  wh.cl.  he   had 

,...r  rdsNvithout  saying  any  more  «„  the 
tul  w'rt,  during  which  time  be  proceeded  otalfc 
^n  ib  n  the  way  he  did  the  cven...g  belore- 
Td  a  id  we  must  watch  and  pray  lest  we  en- 
r       o  temptation;  he  prayed  w.thh.sfarn.ly 

,hev   could  not  pray  fur  themselves--lhat      e 
n u^t  he  spiritually  mindud-that  to  he  sp.ntu- 
"ly  minded  was  Hie,  but  to  be  carnally  m.nd.d 
JrialS.     Those   who    are  sp.r.tual    are  m 
God-thosc  who  are  carnal  are  in  the  world  ; 
^IgoIi  was  spirit,  but  took  hum.n  nature  ,.pon 
,i,,  and  c-ne  down     rom  Heaven         dclwelt 
anions£st  us  i«  the  Heih,  tnat   tii.  un^," 
jr-hUdren  ofthe  spirit  ;  an^  began    o  repeat 
r,e  Itions  of  thcS^cw  Testament  n.  d.il.r- 
rnt  Darts    nearly  who'e  chapters,   when  he  ob* 
TnlTy-Tsl\r..d^\--   bible  without  any 
book    as  well  as  others  can  with.     1  can  read  to 
vou  almo'^  all  or  any  chapter  in  the  b.bie  you 
fvill   nTne,  in  the  Old   or  New  Testament,  . 
;L  not  nu,ch  difference,  in  the  dark  as  .a 

•r,    in  the    light.     Wv  wile  is  a  good  little  wo- 
;  a.  e  would  re.d  In  the  bible  on  Sunday, 

"n.     ay  to  me,   "  Henry,    come  at   down  nnc 
bear  n^^^  reAd  in  the  bible,'V_h«t  1  would  lau;.:h 

TU  and  ■'=11 1'-^  I  -"'''  ''■''■'  ^:''''\tT1 

n,c  book  than  she  could  with,  a.ul  would  ..o    ut 
and  look  1o  n^y  horse,  or  d-o  any  thn.g  on  buu- 


92  ;.„ 

t  I  had  said,  keeping  tip 
innrr  willi  whicli  he  had 
;  else. 

lie  with  him  near  an  hour 
saying  any  more  on  the 
tiiue  be  proceeded  lo  talk 
Jid  the  evening  before— 
;ch  and  pray  lest  we  en- 
le  prayed  with  his  family  ; 
for  themselves — that  we 
indud— that  to  be  spintu- 
but  to  be  carnally  minded 
who  are  spiritual  arc  in 
carnal  are  in  the  world  ; 
ul  took  hum^n  nature  upon 

from  Heaven,  and  dwelt 
,h,  that  wo  mij;ht  become 
pirit  ;  an'!  began  to  repeat 

New  Testament  in  diilcr- 
o'e  chapters,  when  he  ob* 
•ead  the  bible  without  any 
-rs  can  with.  1  can  read  to 
ly  chapter  in  the  bible  you 
Old  or  New  Testament,  it 
crence.  in  the  dark  as -well 
]y  wifii  is  a  good  little  wo- 
nt In  the  bible  on  Sundays, 
lenry,    come  cit   down  and 

bible,"— but  I  would  lau<:h 
I  could  read  better  without 
ouid  with,  and  would  s^o  out 
sr,  or  d-o  any  thin^  »"  ^""^ 
,  a  bad  iVllow.     Whenlw.is 


93 


in  f.iii^Iand,  I  gave  all  my  attr;n!Hjn  fb  reading 
the  bible,  and  was  a  great  Methodist,  went  to 
all  their  meetings,  and  could  pray  and  exhort 
amongst  them  ;  and  finally  took  up  preaching. 
I  have  preached  in  Brighton,  North-Hampton, 
South-Hampton,  and  London  ;  and  great  num- 
bers came  to  hear  me.  i  was  sometiines  aston- 
ished to  sec  how  many  followed  to  iiear  me 
preach — but  I  did  not  follow  that  long,  only  n- 
i)out  fifteen  months,  when  I  gave  it  up  ;  the 
reason  was,  I  got  amoiig«t  the  bad  women  in 
Lomlon,  and  got  the  bad  disorder,  and  after  that 
it  would  not  do  for  me  to  preach  among  the  good 
Methodists  any  longer,  and  I  was  obliged  to 
come  away — and  that  war.  the  reason  I  left 
England.  1  was  a  bad  young  man — I  am  young 
now,  only  2,3,  not  24  years  oid  yet.  I  did  not 
know  but  I  would  preach  again,  bui  I  am  now 
fpntented  where  I  am,  and  do  not  wish  to  go  in- 
fo the  world  any  more.  He  never  intended  to 
leave  this  place,  he  was  lietter  off  here  than  any 
where  else,  he  would  stiy  hero  until  he  died, 
and  should  like  to  die,  \Vhen  he  was  a  proacii- 
er,  he  was  spiritually  minded,  am!  all  was 
peace,  all  was  Heaven  to  him  ;  but  ever  since 
he  had  been  in  tt  e  world,  all  wa.-,  trouble  an.d 
misery,  and  he  never  wished  to  go  into  the 
world  again. 

August  15th,  at  noon,  went  lo  the  gaol,  gave 
him  a  good  dinner,  and  read  his  pardon  to  him. 
When  I  took  it  out  of  my  pocket,  he  cried  out, 
that  looks  like  the  paper  1  dreamed  of  about  a 
month  ago — I  saw  that  paper,  with  two  angel* 
•  * 


I 


•* 


94 

anil  a  ship  on  it,  and  something  that  looked  like 
snakes — i  wish  you  would  give  it  me  ;  I  knew 
it  was  a  coming.  When  reading  it  he  paid  no 
attention  to  ihe  nature  of  it,  but  asked  questions 
as  foreign  to  the  subject  as  possible.  1  told  him 
as  soon  as  I  could  get  him  some  clothes,  I  would 
4;ive  him  the  paper,  in  order  to  take  it  with  him, 
and  that  I  would  help  him  away  with  his  show, 
that  he  might  not  be  driven  to  the  necessity  of 
stealing. 

August  16th,  at  evening,  went  with  a  tailor 
to  take"  measure  of  him  for  a  coat.  VVhen  he 
saw  the  tailor  with  his  measure,  he  said,  I  wish 
you  would  give  me  that  ribbon  in  your  hand — 
It  is  no  ribbon,  said  the  tailor,  but  a  measure  to 
measure  you  for  a  coat  ;  come,  stand  up — 
What!  said  he,  do  you  think  you  are  tailor 
I  nough  to  make  me  a  coat  ?— Yes.  But  you 
don't  look  like  it— Let  me  look  at  your  harn^ 
and  fingers— whicl^ he  did — You  are  no  tailoi^ 
said  he,  you  look  more  like  a  blacksmith — you 
shall  never  make  a  coat  for  me  ;  I  can  make  it 
better  myself ;  and  would  not  be  measured. 

August  17th — we  found  he  had.  improved  lus 
Scotch  sentry  by  giving  him  a  carved  wooden 
head,  very  complete,  with  the  national  features 
6(  an  old  Highlander.  This  was  the  first  of  his 
carved  work.  At  evening  he  had  also  much  im- 
proved his  fighters— Bonaparte,  by  some  un- 
lucky stroke,  llatl  killed  the  Irishman,  taken  off 
his  head,  and  hung  it  up  at  his  right  band  ;  a 
brawny  eld  Scotchman  had  taken  his  place,  and 
gave  Bona  a  hard  time,  knocking  hina  dowu  as 


fa 
hi 

XV 

ri 

ca 
n; 

1r 
d( 
a 
se 
ai 
]» 
sc 
w 
w 

■a' 

IV 

Hi 

HI 

X( 

a 

Cl 

1 
I 

ir 
fi 

a 

ri 
1( 
d 


I    I  II    ■  iiwarf 


ethmg  that  looked  like 
Id  give  it  me  ;  I  knew 
reading  it  he  paid  no 
it,  but  asked  questions 
IS  possible.  1  told  him 
n  some  clothes,  I  would 
•der  to  take  it  with  him, 
T\  away  with  his  show, 
ven  to  the  necessity  of 

ing,   went  with  a  tailor 

for  a  coat.  When  he 
easui'c,  he  said,  I  wish 

ribbon  in  your  hand — 
tailor,  but  a  measure  to 
it  ;  come,  stand  up — 
1  think  you  are  tailor 
:oat  ? — Yes.     But   you 

me  look  at  your  han 
lid — You   are  no  tailo 
like  a  blacksmith — you 

for  me  ;  I  can  make  it 
Id  not  be  measured, 
nd  he  had.  improved  lu's 

him  a  carved  wooden 
ith  tlie  national  features 
This  was  the  first  of  his 
ng  he  had  also  much  im- 
onaparte,    by  some  un- 

the  Irishman,  taken  off 
up  at  his  right  band  ;  a 
liad  taken  his  place,  and 
,  knocking  hina  dowu  as 


95  :  .  ^  '^ 

fast  as  he  eould  get  up.     I  told  him  he  must  get 
his  family  ready  to  move,  and  left  him. 

August  li5th,  at  noon,  went  to  see  him  ;  he 
was  fiddling  remarkably  well,  and  singing  mer- 
rily ;  but  when  I  went  in  he  was  busily  at  work 
cart  inp  a  head,  which  he  said  was  to  take  Bo- 
naparte's place,  as  the  old  Scotchman  would 
overpower  him  scon.  He  said  carving  was  a 
trade  in  England  ;  that  he  did  not  think  he  could 
do  so  well  at  it  till  be  tried,  and  remarked  that 
a  man  did  not  know  what  he  cculd  do  until  he 
set  himself  about  it  ;  that  he  never  undertook 
any  thing  but  he  accomplished  it;  except  that 
he  was  stopped  in  this  place  ;  and  he  had  been 
«o  long  here  he  had  rather  stay  here  than  any 
where,  and  never  enjoyed  himself  better.  He 
wished  I  would  give  him  a  candle  to  work  by  ; 

«d  he  would  make  himself  a  waistcoat  ;  »aid 
need  not  be  afraid  he  should  (Jo  any  harm 
with  it  ;  he  would  set  it  m  the  middle  of  the 
floor,  and  take  care  that  his  straw  and  chips  did 
not  get  fire  and  burn  up  his  family,  which  he 
xould  not  do  without,  as  he  could  not  labour  for 
a  living  ;  beside,  said  he,  if  I  was  disposed,  I 
could  burn  up  the  house  without  a  caudle,  for 
1  can  make  fire  in  one  hour  any  time.  When 
I  was  a  boy,  said  he,  every  body  took  notice  of 
me,  and  I  had  a  license  for  shooting  when  1  was 
fifteen.  One  day  !  wasoutshooting,  and  killed 
a  rabbit  upon  a  farmer's  land  where  I  had  no 
right.  The  old  fellow  came  after  mo,  and  1 
lold  him  if  he  came  near  me  I  would  knock  him 
down  ;  but  he  caught  me,  and  tied  iv^e  fast  to  a 


!")W  Wliriti;|it|ff,|ILJ.LIJIj\l^HHIII 


.»jiiil)WJ..-    J^J. 


„y.||.tiiiwy  .1     I.I, 


96 

large  slack  of  fasiffots.  and  went  away  ;  wl.ilst  he 
w-,s  cone,  1  ma.'.c  a  fire  and  burnt  up  the  whole, 
and  went  off  ;  but  the  old  fanner  never  knew 
how  his  fa-nts  took  fire.  You  don't  use  fag< 
gors  in  %i.  country,  -id  he  ;  they  are  l.tt  e 
Sticks,  tied  up  and  sold  in  bunches,  to  bo.l  tea- 
kettle with.  If  I  would  give  hiin  a  candle,  he 
Would  find  firo  to  li^ht  it.  ,,     .        ,  .■ 

1  am  aware  that  1  .hall  incur  the  imputation 
of  weakness  for   narrating  many  parts  ot  these 

jnemoirs.  but  as  every  P'":*  ^^ '"^^r^^^'.^P: 
neared  to  me  equally  astonishing,  I  shal  relate 
he  simple  facts  as  they  occurred,  with  the  full- 
est consciousness  that  I  am  neither  obstinately 
blind  mn  wilfully  deceived. 

Me  said  he  had  told  his  fortune  in  hn  tea-cup, 
and  it  came  always  alike.     He  could  tell  a  great 
deal  by  dreams-The  devil  helped  fortune-te^ 
line,  but  dreams  were  the   inspiration  of  Ood«ir 
When  the  ho?s  came  toiee  him  he  could  tell  u 
great  deal  by 'them.     He  could  tell  me  any  thing 
that  had  happened  within   a  year  past,  or  that 
would  -happen  in  a  year  to  coine.     My  neigh- 
bour, he  said,    had  a  black  sow  that  had   pigs 
some  all  black  and  some  all  white,  and  one  with 
red  spots  before   and  behind,   and  by   hem  he 
learntagreafdeal.    I  knew  that  Mr  rerk.nshad 
a  black  sow  with  young  pigs     and  when  I  we 
away  I  had  the  curiosity   to  look  at  them,  but 
they    did   not    answer  his'  description,    and  1 
thought  no  more  about  it. 

August  19th,  at  evening,  many  people  came 
to  see  him  and  his  performance,  and  when  they 


)6 

ind  went  away  ;  whilst  he 
eaiul  burnt  up  the  wliole, 
old  farmer  never  knew 
fire.  You  don't  use  fag- 
said  he  ;  they  are  little 
d  in  bunches,  to  boil  tea- 
ild  give  him  a  candle,  he 
t  it. 

hall  incur  the  imputation 
ting  many  parts  of  these 
■y  part  of  his  conduct  ap- 
astonishing,  1  shall  relate 
y  occurred,  with  the  full- 
t  I  am  neither  obstinately 
eived. 

I  bis  fortune  in  hi  3  tea-cup, 
ike.  He  could  tell  a  great 
J  devil  helped  fortune-te" 
re  the  inspiration  of  Go( 
to  see  him  he  could  tell  n 
He  could  tell  me  any  thing 
'ithin  a  year  past,  or  that 
,-car  to  come.  My  neigh- 
black  sow  that  had  pigs, 
me  all  white,  and  one  with 
behind,  and  by  them  he 
kn«w  that  Mr.  Perkins  had 
un"  pigs,  and  when  I  went 
jsiry  to  li'ok  at  them,  but 
er  his'  description,  and  I 
ut  it. 

veniiig,  nr\any  people  came 
'rformance,  and  when  they 


97 

were  gone  out,  he  saiiT'to  me  that  he  had  carved 
a    new   figure   of  Bonaparte— lliat    the  first   he 
made  wa/after  his  own  image,  for  he  ^yas  a  man 
after  his  own    htvirt  ;  but  he  had    tallen— God 
made    man  out  of   the  dust  of  the  earth,  hut  hr 
made  men  out  of  the    wood  of  the  earth— Ood 
made  Adam,  but  he  soon  fell,   and  did   nothing 
very  bad   neither.     He  intended   to  carse  out 
our  Saviour  on  the  cross,  with  the  two  thieves  ;. 
one  of  the  thieves  was  penitent,  asked  pardon, 
and   was  forgiven  ;  so  one    Apostle    says— the 
others  contradict    it.     Three   Apostles   wrote, 
but  they  do  not  a^rce  throughout.     We  cannot 
believe  every  .thing;  but  we   must  believe   or 
we  cannot  be  saved.    The  scripture  says,  he  that 
believeth  shall  be  saved,  but  he   that    beiieveth 
Hot  is  condemned  already. 

As  1  was  going  out,  he  said  to  me  (without  a 

«[)rd  having  passed  relative  to  my  examining 
e  pigO  the  pis^s  I  told  you  of  are  not  those 
youn^  uigs ;  they  a-c  so«ie  months  old.  I  made 
RO  rer.iy!  knowin.^  that  Mr.  Scovil  had  a  sow 
and  pigs  that  answered  his  description  in  every 

particular.  j   i„, 

Sunday.  Aus;.  20th,  the  gaoler  carried  b  m 
bis  brr;'fast,  with  tea.  He  told  the  gaoler  ho 
could  tell  him  any  ihiug  |.ast  or  to  come  ;  and 
beinff  asked  to  tell  any  cirtumslanccs  that  had 
happened,  he  said,  some  time  since  you  rode  a 
great  way  on  my  account,  and  carried  letters 
and  papers  about  mel  and  about  others  too- 
Acraiu,  you  went  alter  a  man,  and  you  had  to  go 
on  the  water  before  you  found  hun,  and  i  aa» 
12 


I 

1     ' 


m 


not  sure  but  you  found  him  on  the  water — 
while  you  was  after  him  you  saw  a  man  at  work 
in  tiic  mud,  and  enquired  of  him  fi^r  the  man 
you  wanted,  he  toldymi  what  you  asked  of  him  ; 
you  was  dry,  and  asKed  him  if  there  was  any 
water  near  that  you  could  drink  ;  he  told  you 
there  was  a  place  where  he  had  drank,  and  you 
went  to  it,  but  found  the  water  so  bad  you 
•could  not  drink  it.  You  then  went  after  the 
man  you  was  in  pursuit  of,  found  him  and 
brought  him  with  you,  and  kept  him  in  gaol  two 
or  three  days,  when  his  friends  came  and  took 
him  out. 

7'he  gaoler  was  astonished,  knowing  the  facts 
to  be  true,  in  every  particular,  and  had  no  re- 
collection of  ever  mentioning  the  circumstances 
to  any  living  being.  Perhaps  all  this  was  but 
the  imagery  of  his  fancy  ;  but  how  could  his 
fancy  picture  out  a  tale  so  true  ?  He  often  pr 
dieted  things  beyond  the  power  of  human  fon 
sight,  which,  repeated  here,  would  seem  ab- 
surd, but  to  my  positive  knowledge  proved  cor- 
rect. 

Many  surprising  facts  of  this  nature  could  be 
related  of  him  during  his  confinement,  which  it 
might  be  tedious  to  enumerate.  One,  |»owev- 
evefv  that  came  particularly  within  my  own  ob- 
servation, I  vvHI  relate.  He  observed  cue  morn- 
ing that  an  English  gentleman  was  coming  to 
see  him — he  described  his  dress,  ?.nd  said  he 
wore  white  top  boots.  In  the  course  of  the  day, 
Mr.  Knox  called  to  see  him,  in  the  dress  he  had 
described — Smif|;i  took  but  little  notice  of  him^ 


I 


nd  him  on  the  water — 
1  you  snw  a  man  at  work 
cd  ol'  him  fgr  tho  niuii 
1  what  you  askfcd  of  him  ; 
ed  him  if  there  was  any 
uld  drink  ;  be  told  you 
e  he  had  drank,  and  you 
the  water  so  bad  you 
fou  then  went  after  the 
suit  of,  found  him  and 
and  kept  bim  in  gaol  two 
is  friends  came  and  took 

ished,  knowing  the  facts 
irticuiar,  and  had  no  re- 
iuning  the  circumstances 
'erhaps  all  this  was  but 
icy  ;  but  how  could  his 
so  true  ?  He  often  pn 
le  power  of  liuman  fo 
1  here,  would  seem  ab- 
s  knowledge  proved  cor- 

s  of  this  nature  could  be 
lis  confmement,  which  it 
umerate.  One,  jjiowev- 
lariy  within  my  own  ob- 
He  observed  cue  morn- 
itkman  was  coming  to 
1  his  dreus,  ?.nd  said  he 
In  the  cours'j  of  the  day, 
him,  in  the  dress  he  bad 
but  little  notice  of  him^ 


%: 


99 


fcul  as  he  was  retiring,  said  to  him,  "  call  and 
see  me  again,  when  you  piss  this  way" — inti- 
mating at  the  same  time  that  he  had  sometiiing 
to  communicate.  'J'owards  evening  I  met  with 
Jlr.  Knox  ^?Judgc  PickettS,  and  invited  him 
to  go  with  itie  again  to  the  gaol — and  he  agreed 
to  call  at  my  liouse  in  a  short  time  for  tiiat  pur- 
pose— On  his  way  to  my  house,  he  stopped  at 
Mr.  Perkins',  where  he  w;>s  warmly  urged  fo 
stay  to  supper — and  being  informed  that  I  was 
engaged  in  business,  he  concluded  to  s'  f,  and 
<lid  not  go  to  see  Smith  again.  On  my  going  to 
the  gaol,  Smith  told  me  that  the  gentleman  had 
been  to  see  him,  and  that  he  was  coming  again — 
but  was  stopped  at  a  family  in  the  neighbor- 
hood— and  he  did  not  like  it — he  should  offend 
some  of  them  for  it — they  sliould  not  see  his 
family  danre  any  moror  The  next  day  a  son 
of  Mr.  Perkins's,  who  bad  been  absent  as  cap- 
tain ot  a  vessel  more  than  a  year,  returned 
home — ^and  hearing  the  character  of  our  prison- 
er, went  to  see  him  and  his  performance — A 
numberof  persons  went  with  him.  Without  hav- 
ing bad  any  previous  knowledge  of  his  person 
or  his  character,  he  seemed  to  know  both  in- 
stinctively, and  so  far  from  obliging  him  with  a 
view  of  his  exhibition,  he  would  not  take  the 
least  notice  of  him.  Mr.  P.  oU'ered  him  inoney 
and  used  persuasions,  but  Smith  remained  mute, 
and  finding  he  could  get  nothing  from  him,  he 
went  away  in  disgust.  As  soi  ;i  as  he  went  out 
Smith  resumed  his  usual  gaiety  and  amused  all 
the  remaining  spectator:   with  his  performance, 


; 


*  lOU 

doctarin.:;  that  not  out-  of  Mr.  P's  family  shouKl 
ever  see  Lih  performance  again.  How  lie  could 
know  these  f«icts  is  inconiprehcnsihle  to  mr  as 
no  one  had  access  to  him  in  the  pgon  without 
niy  knowleilge.  w        ,.       ^ 

He  had  novv  been  in  my  custody  more  than  a 
y,.ar.  and  almost  every  day  liad  produced  some 
new  feature  of  1ms  character  or  eilbrt  of  his  gen- 
ius     1  had  ha^  much  trouble  with  him  ;  yet  I 
had  compassion  for  him,  and  could  not  turn  him 
out  of  jail,  naked  and  destitute,  without  friends, 
the  terror  of'  the    noigliboihood,  and  in  sucli  a 
Mluation  that    he  must  either  starve  or  steal- 
thus  renderin:^  his  pardon,  instead  of  an  act  ot 
mercy,  a  curse  to  himself  and  the  community. 
Every  one  knew  he  was  indicted  in  York  Coun- 
ts and  no  one  could    assist  him    to  escape.— 
tndcr  these  circumstances,  having   him  in   my 
char'e,  humanity  dictated    that  I  should  try  tof 
«t  him  out  uf  the  Province.     1  represented  all 
these  things  to  him,  and   told  him  1  would  fur- 
nish him  with   decent  clothing,  and  Ret  h,m  a 
passage  cither  to  Nova-5^cotia  or  the  U.  States  ; 
gave  him  a  box   to  put  his  family  in,   and  told 
Lim  he  must  be  ready  to  set  off  on  Tuesday.— 
He  took  no  notice  of  what  1  said,  but  asked  some 
frivolous  questions,  talked  about  Mohawks  and 
snakes,  and  played  the  fool,  tilll  found  I  should 
have  as  much  trouble  to  get  rid  ot  him  as  1  had 
bad  to  keep  him  before  his  trial. 

On  the  28th  of  August,  Judge  Pickett  and 
Judge  Micheau  attended  at  the  Court-Housc  Uk 
j)rder  to  take  the  recognizance  required,  his  own 


Mr.  P's  family  slioulil 

again.     How  lie  coulU 

n|irelirnsil)l«  to  mr,  as 

I  in  the  pri|on  without 


ly  custody  more  thnn  a 
Jay  had  produced  some 
:ter  or  effort  of  his  gen- 
oubic  with  him  ;  yet  I 
cirid  could  not  turn  him 
ibtitute,  without  friends, 
iborhood,  and  in  such  a 
either  starve  or  steal — 
n,  instead  of  an  act  of 
;if  and  the  community, 
indicted  in  York  Coun- 
issijt  him    to  escape. — 
ces,  having   him  in   my 
ted    that  I  should  try  toff 
ince.     I  rep  resented  all 
d   told  him  1  would  fur- 
clolhing,  and  Ret  him' a 
■5"cotia  or  the  U.  States  ; 
t  his  family  in,   and  told 
to  set  off  on  Tuesday. — 
lat  1  said,  but  asked  sonic 
ied  about  Mohawks  and 
fool,  till  I  found  I  should 
0  set  rid  of  him  as  I  had 
;  his  trial. 

rust,  Judge  Pickett  and 
>d  at  the  Court-Housc  in 
lizance  required,  his  own 


101 

.trurity  m  fiftv   pounds,    to   plead  his  parJnu 
when  called  for.      After  liberating  him  Irom  his 
rhiins,  and  supplying  him  with  decent  clothln^, 
it  wai  with  djiiculty  1  prevailed  on  him  to  leave 
the  "aol.     lirtook   one  of  his  rhildrrn    in  one 
l,,n(?and    a   pair  of  ^cifsars   in  the  othc",  and 
•vrntout  ;  after  much  exertion  1  got  him  up  to 
the  Jury  room,  where  Judge  Michoau   read  hi>i 
ivirJon  to  him.  and  explained  the  circumstances 
which  produced  it  ;  to   which  he  paid  not   the 
Mi.allest  attention,  but  looked  about  and  talked 
•f  something  else.     Judge  Pickett  then  required 
his  recognizance,  and  informed  him  that  unless 
he  immediately  left   the  Province  he  would  be 
taken  and  tried  on  two  indictments  pending  a- 
Sainst  him  in  the  County  of  York.     He  took  no 
notice  of  what  hi  said  ;  talked  and  danced,  tola 
tlie  Judge  he  looked  like  a  tailor,  and  asked  hiin 
to  give  him  his  shoe-strings.     His  pardon  lying 
m  the  table,  he  caught  h'dd  of  it,  and  before  it 
could  be  taken  from  him  clipped  off  the  seal  with 
his  scissars  ;  he  wanted,  the  ship  on  it  to  ca-ry 
him  away  with  his  family  ;  tore  off  the  capo  ol 
his  coat,  and  cut  it  in  pieces,  as  he  did  also  his 
shoes.     Finding  we  could  do  nothing  witlf  him, 
I  returned  him  again  to  prison,  where  he  said, 
for  using  him  so   kindly,    for   one    shilling    he 
would  show  us  his  whole  performance.     Judge 
Micheau  handed  him  a   half  dollar  piece,  and 
said  give  me    a   quarter  dollar  in  change,  and 
you  will  have  more   than    a   shilling    left.     He 
took  it,  and  said  it  was  a  nice  pieco  c"  money, 


102 


and  put  It  in  his  pocket  ;  but  the  Judge  could 
by  no  means  make  him  understand  the  nieaniug 
of  change.  He  tiien  performed  his  exhibition. 
When  vve  were  going,  he  seerne(y||t  of  humour, 
and  told  Judge  Pickett  he  hadtSf6wn  stones  at 
him,  and  he  would  burn  his  house  ;  and  threat- 
ened that  this  place  should  be  in  flames  before 
morning;  he  could  make  fire  in  half  an  hour, 
and  wanted  a  light,  and  would  have  one, 

August  29th,  early  in  the  morning,  I  went  to 
the  gaol  to  prepare  for  his  removal,  but  to  my 
great  vexation  and  surprize  found  it  actually  oii 
fire.  1  opened  the  door  immediately,  and  with 
a  bucket  of  water  extinguished  it.  Found  hini 
smoking  his  pipe,  as  unconcerned  as  ever.  He 
had  broken  up  the  necessary,  and  with  that  and 
the  chips  of  his  carved  work  hfc  had  kindled  a 
fire.  He  said  fire  was  very  comfortable,  and 
he  had  not  seen  any  before  in  a  long  time  ;  that 
he  made  it  with' his  own  hands,  and  would  make 
it  again  in  ten  minutes,  as  he  could  not  do  with- 
out some  light.  I  shut  him  up  in  a  suffocating 
smoke,  which  did  not  s^em  to  give  him  the  least 
inconvenience,  and  called  in  some  of  the  neigh- 
bours to  assist  me,  and  ordered  him  to  put  his 
show  into  the  box  ;  he  took  no  notice  of  it ;  1 
took  down  Dne  and  laid  it  in  the  box,  when  he 
seemed  pleased,  said  he  would  put  them  all  in 
that  box  immediately,  and  began  very  actively 
t  .  take  them  down  ;  wanted  no  assistance  from 


any  one 


but  leave  him  the  light  and  he  would 
joe'^all  re;.'dy  in  half  an  hour.  We  left  him  the 
candle  and  went  out.     When  I  returned  he  was 


^ 

.-H- 


102 

:ket ;  but  the  Judge  could 
m  understand  the  meaning 

performed  his  exhibition. 
,  he  seerne(^lttt  of  humour, 
;tt  he  had  tl^wn  stones  at 
urn  his  house  ;  and  threat- 
should  be  in  flames  before 
make  fire  in  half  an  hour, 
md  woulU  have  one. 
in  the  morning,    I  went  to 
for  his  removal,  but  to  roy 
jrprize  found  it  actually  on 
loor  immediately,  and  with 
ctinguished  it.     Found  him 
unconcerned  as  ever.     He 
ccessary,  and  with  that  and 
ed   work  hfc   had  kindled  a 
k'as  very   comfortable,  and 
before  in  a  long  time  ;  that 
)wn  hands,  and  would  make 
es,  as  he  could  not  do  with- 
hut  him  up  in  a  suffocating 
3t  s^-em  to  give  him  the  least 
;alied  in  some  of  the  neigh- 
and  ordered  him  to  put  his 
he   took  no  notice  of  it ;  1 
laid  it  in  the  box,  when  he 
J  he  would  put  them  all   in 
y,  and  began  very  actively 

wauled  no  assistance  from 

him  the  light  and  he  would 

fan  hour.     We  left  him  the 

.     When  I  returned  he  was 


103 

walking  the  gaol,  with  every  tiling  put  up  in  the 
n^'atest  manner  ;  it  was  a  curiosity  to  see  with 
wh.nt  skill  he  had  packed  them  :  gave  him  a 
pair  of  shoes,  and  with  his  box  on  his  shoulder, 
he  marched  ci£|o  the  boat  i  had  prepared  for  his 
departure,  at^ptvith  (liree  men  to  assist  me  we 
setoff  for  St.  John.  He  prayed  and  pr(?ache(land 
sang  Methodist  hymns,  with  a  most  inimitable 
tone,  all  the  way,  at  thi'  ^nmc  time  acting  hi.* 
crazy  capers,  tearing  lii«  clothes,  &c.  We  made 
no  stop  on  the  passage,  and  arrived  at  St.  John 
at  8  o'clock  in  the  evening.  He  said  he  must 
have  a  hot  supper  with  tea,  and  wished  to  be 
locked  up  in  a  strong  room,  for  he  must  see  all 
his  family  to  night,  or  tliey  would  die  in  the  box. 
When  we  arrived  at  the  gaol  I  found  all  the 
rooms  of  the  prison  occupied,  or  undergoing  re- 
pairs, and  had  no  place  to  confine  him.  I  im- 
mediately called  on  the  Sheriff,  who  had  no 
means  to  assist  me,  as  he  could  not  receive  him 
into  custody,  nor  suffer  him  to  be  put  with  otiier 
prisoners  in  the  gaol  ;  and  to  add  to  my  trouble, 
I  learnt  that  thee  was  no  vessel  to  sail  for  seve- 
ral days.  1  returned  to  the  gaol,  and  found 
Smith  at  his  supper.  When  he  had  drank  lii"; 
[tea,  he  looked  in  his  cyp,  and  iinniediately  ?ni(! 
[he  must  not  disturb  his  family  that  night,  for  he 
I  saw  the  ship  then  at  the  wharf  that  was  to  take 
I  him  to  his  wife,  and  there  would  be  crying. — 
[The  gaoler  cleared  out  a  small  room  in  the 
[house,  with  a  grated  window,  where  we  secur- 
jed  hint  for  the  night.  I  had  determined  to  send 
Ihim   to  Nova-Scotia,  and  going  out  early  next. 


i  1 


104 


4  * 


morning,  1  met  a  friend  of  mine,  who  informed 
me  that  his  schooner,  then  lying  at  the  wharl. 
would  sail  for  Nova-Scotia  in  half  an  hour,  and 
1  persuaded  him  to  take  Smith  on  board.  1  had 
him  brought  down  immediately  and  at  h.^li 
water  she  hauled  off  and  -ot  Oiifcr  way  with 
him,  to  the  great  satisfac.ion  of  p,11  beamd.— 
When  the  vessel  arrived  on  the  oppositt  shore, 
he  left  her  without  taking  any  thing  with  him, 
was  seen  in  the  street  a  short  time,  and  then 
suddenly  disappeared. 

The  first  information  I  have  ot  this  eKtraor- 
dinary  person  is  as  follows  :  In  September. 
1812,  he  came  to  Windsor,  in  Nova-Scotia, 
where  he  was  met  by  Mr.  Bond,  a  respectable 
farmer,  of  the  town  of  Rawdon.  He  vyanted  to 
*et  employment  in  the  country,  and  said  he 
tvouJd  do  any  thing.  After  some  conversation. 
Mr  Bond  agreed  with  him  to  assist  him  on  his 
farm,  for  one  month,  upon  trial  ;  and  he  proved 
to  be  extremely  steady,  careful  and  industrious, 
and  gained  the  confidence  of  the  old  gentleman, 
while  at  the  same  time  he  won  the  aflection  ol 
his  daughter.     He  called  himself  Henry  Fred- 

vHICK  MoON.  - 

Mr.  B  ji  J  being  a  reli^ous  man,  he  contorm- 
ed  strictly  to  his  principles  ;  was  always  punc- 
tual at  evening  and  morning  prayer,  and  seem- 
ed very  devout  and  erious.  In  this  way  he 
continued  '  fome  time,  when  the  attachment 
between  him  and  the  daughter  was  too  close  to 
be  unobserved.     He  asked   her   hand  m  mar- 


riage 


but  it  did  n«t   gnit  the  old   grntleman*- 


104 


4  ■• 


id  of  mine,  who  informe«| 
then  lying  at  the  wharf, 
cotia  in  half  an  hour,  and 
ke  Smith  on  board.  I  had 
mmftdiatelnn  and  at  hi^h 
and  -ot  bK*'  way  with 
isfac.ion  ofpll  behind. — 
ved  on  the  oppositt  s-hore, 
taking  any  thing  with  him, 
et  a  short  time,  and  then 
I. 
on  I  have  ot  this  eKtraor- 

follows  :  In  September. 
Windsor,  in  Nova-Scotia, 
y  Mr.  Bond,  a  respectable 
f  Rawdon.  He  wanted  to 
the  country,   and   said  he 

After  some  conversation. 
Ih  him  to  assist  him  on  his 
upon  trial  ;  and  he  proved 
dy,  careful  and  industrious, 
icnce  of  the  old  gentleman, 
me  he  won  the  affection  ol 
ailed  himself  Henry  Fred- 

reli^ous  man,  he  conform- 
nciples  ;  was  always  punc- 
morning  prayer,  and  seeni- 
I  -erious.  In  this  way  he 
time,  when  the  attachment 
e  daughter  was  too  close  to 
e  asked  her  hand  in  mar- 
ut   suit  the  old   gentleman*^ 


106 

views,  and  he  would  not  give  his  consent.  All 
l!ie  persuasions  of  her  friends  were  used  in 
vain  to  wean  her  from  him.  but  her  affettiont 
were  so  str(g||||^fixed,  that  she  left  her  father's 
house,  and^ip^eu  liim  on  the  12th  of  March, 
1813.     Her  name  was  Elizabeth  P.  BoNft. 

He  continued  in  Rawdon,  and  professed  to 
b.o  a  tailor,  but  pursued  no  regular  business. 
A  letter  from  a  gentleman  in  that  town  speaks 
ot  him  as  follows  :  "He  could  sew  complelelj, 
and  cutout  clothes  very  well,  but  in  fact  could 
do  any  thing  he  turned  his  hand  (o.  Me  would 
frequently  set  out  for  Halifax  in  lh«j  nfternoon, 
and  be  home  in  (he  morning,  always  bringing 
with  him  a  quantity  of  goods,  and  once  was 
known  to,  bring  jlj'M  in  ijold.  Ho  told  Mr. 
Bond  he  was  born  in  ScotJand,  but  had  lived 
mostly  in  England.  No  person  here  knows 
more  of  him,  except  that  ho  always  appeared 
decently  dressed,  \Gry  affable,  obliging  and  in- 
offensive. He  was  never  known  to  be  intoxicat- 
ed, never  used  bad  language,  and  appeared  to 
be  addicted  to  no  b;ul  habits  of  any  kind.  Be- 
ing asked  how  he  procured  the  articln  that  hfl' 
brougiit  from  Halifax,'  he  said  he  hlld  a  friend 
there  by  the  name  of  Wilson,  who  furnished 
liim  with  every  thing  he  wanted.  At  length 
^ume  suspicions  were  ciitertainei'""  jainst  him, 
and  a  warrant  was  Kot  out  to  ap,<  jiid  him. 
and  getting  information  of  il,  in  July  1314,  he 
left  Rawdon,  and  made  his  escape." 

During  his  confinement,   the  tollowing  letter 
was  received  from  his  tvifc  : 
K 


■fcwn   will 


106 

Rawdon,  May  26lh,  181 5  > 
Uy  dear  HiTSiiANP -1  received  your  letter,  dated 

know  whether  you  was  at  Kingston  IIPKot.     i«y  "ej^y 

death. 

Mr.  H.  F.  M.  S.  Kingston. 
P.  S.-l  enclose  this  letter  to  Mr.  Levi  Lockhart  and 
have  requested  him  to  five  it  to  yoursoU.  You  can 
.fv-^ou?  answer  to  him  and  !  shull  get  .t  safe." 
"  Mr.  LeviLockhart  faithfully  delivered  the  a- 
bove  letter  to  Smith,  hut  could  not  make  him  un- 
derstand any  thing,  oreven  look  atth^wr.tmg; 
»,r.  twisted  it  up  and  threw  it  away  without  giv- 
ing the  least  countenance  to  it.  .       • 

°N«t  long  after  his  discharge,  I  heard  of  h.m 
at  Moose  Island,  and   after  that,   a  gentleman 
who  knew  him  while  in  prison,  saw  hi.n  in  the 
street  at  Portland.     From  thence  he  proceeded 
to  Boston,  and  on  the  7th  of  Noven.ber,    he  ar- 
rived at  NeW-Haven,   in  the   Uoston  stas^e^  by 
Ihe  way  of  New-London,  with  a  large  trunk  full 
ofclothi«g,  a  small  portable    desk,  and   tno.u^ 
i„  his  pockets.     He    was  dre.sed  in    a  gentee 
frock  coat,  with  breeches  and  laii-top  boots,  and 
remained  several  days  at    Mr.  H.  Butler's    inn. 
Thus  in   little  morn  than  two  monthi  irom  tht. 


-«J5««llHmi»,a(.;(p|»in«  I)  nu 


)6 

AWDON,  May  SSlb,  1815. 
received  your  letter,  dated 
May.    Vou  say  you  have 
;  if  you  liavel  never  receiv- 
come  ai^MjTOU,  wlndi  I 
he  letter  i^V,  but  did  not 
t  Kingston TPWlot.     My  dear, 
not  conic  to  see  you;  ifynu 
me  imu.edidtely,  it  my  child 
•  «he  is  very  ficU,  and  1  am 
th  myself.     My  dear,  as  soon 
i,iav  send  me  your  answer, 
,  do— BO  no  more  at  i)r.jspnf  ; 
■  and   atrection.-vte  wiie   undl 
'   ELIZABETH  T.  M.  S. 
;ston. 

or  to  Mr.  Levi  Locklinrt,  and 
"ive  it  to  yourself.  Von  can 
„d  1  shall  get  it  safe." 
faithfully  delivered  the  a- 
ut  could  not  make  himun- 
r  even  look  at  the  writing; 
brew  it  away  without  giv- 
nce  to  il.  •  . 

discharse,  I  heard  of  him 
d   after  that,   a  geutitman 
in  prison,  saw  hiui  in  the 
Prom  thence  he  proceeded 
)  7th  of  November,    he  ar- 
',   in  the   Uoston  sta^e^  hy 
don,  with  a  large  Irurik  full 
)ortabie    desk,  and  money 
was  dressed  in    a  genteel 
dies  and  fair-top  boots,  and 
j^sat    Mr.  H.  Butler's   inn. 
tlinn  two  monthi  from  thfi 


107 

time  he  was  discliarijcd  from  my  custody,  jien- 
nyless  and  alnio.st  naked,  amongst  strangers  and 
without  friend?,  and  in  a  time  of  war,  he  finds 
his  #ay  frwn  one  country's  territory  to  anoth- 
er, appeagHwhe  character  of  a  gentleman-  a'ld 
with  his  nHpist  slipped  from  the  halter,  still 
strugsles  iiitre  cbace  with  "  lanie-leggcd  Jus- 
tice:" „  ., 

After  his  departure  from  New-Hayen,  the 
following  paragraph  appeared  in  the  Connecti- 
cut Journal,  dated  November  13th  : 

"  Another  Phenomenon.— On  T\\ms<laiy  morn- 
ing' last,  after  the  departure   of  the   Steam-Boat 
for  New-York,  the  servants  of  Mr.  H.  Butler's 
hotel  discovered  that  his  whole  stock  of  silver, 
spoons,  &c.  which  had  been  carefully  deposit- 
ed in  a  sideboard  the  night  previous,  had  sud- 
denly decamped,  and  were  not  to  be  found   in 
the  pr«fhises— and  on  further  search  by  Mr.  B. 
it  was  discovered  that  several  other  articles  had 
sympathetically    moved   off  with    the  spoons. 
This  phenomenon,  though  not  so  astonishing  as 
that  of  tne  moving  stones,  excited  suspicion  that 
they  had  not  departed    without  some  physical 
agency,  which  was  supposed  to  proceed  from  a 
person  who  lodged  in  the  house,  and  who  seem- 
ed  to   possess  some  magical    appearance,   and 
hal  taken  himself  off  in  tlic  Steam-Boat.     Mr. 
B'i'' immediately  started  express  for   New- York 
—arrived  before  the  boat— found  the  fellqw  ca 
board — seized  his  trunk   and  searched  it— rand 
though  unfortunately  he  did  not  succeed  in  re- 
bis  property,  be  nevertheless   fouu4 


I" 

n. 


4 


108 


sufficient  evidence  that  the  fellow  was  a  villain, 
had  him  arraigned,  and  secured  in  Bridewell. — 
He  c?lled  his  name  Newman,  and  from  the  sto- 
len property  found  with  him  it  is  suppoged  he 
can  unravel  the  mystery  of  mangtohenomena 
uf  this  nature."  §Kr 

On  the  17th  of  October,  181671  left  Kings- 
ton, with  the  intention  of  proceeding  to  Port- 
land, where  I  intended  to  publish  tiiese  me- 
moirs ;  and  took  passage  on  board  the  sloop 
Wellington,  with  the  expectation  of  being  lan- 
ded there  ;  but  the  wind  coming  out  from  the 
we<!tward,  wiien  at  George  River,  obliged  her 
to  proceed  to  New-York,  where  she  arrived  on 
the  1st  of  November.  I  called  on  Mr.  Nehe. 
miah  Allen,  the  keei^er  of  Bridewell,  in  that 
city,  and  enquired  the  conduct  of  WrtLiAM 
Newman  while  in  his  custody.  He  said  he 
appeared  very  decent  and  behaved  wdl — that 
he  offered  him  a  book  to  read,  but  he  said  he 
was  ignorant,  and  could  not  read  or  write  a 
word — and  began  to  complain  of  being  sick. 
The  doctor  attended  him,  but  could  not  tell 
what  was  the  matter  with  him.  He  raised 
blood,  and  was  ^o  ill  that  he  was  helped  up  by 
the  prisoner  confined- with  him,  who  thought  he 
would  die. 

He  was  removed,  from  Bride\fell  to  New- 
Haven,  there  to  take  his  trial  for  burglary,  at 
the  Supreme  Court  l6  be  held  in  January^— but 
he  kept  up  the  farce  of  being  sick,  so  that  they 
lifted  him  out  and  in,  and  carried  him  to  *nd 
from  the  Steam  Beat  upon  a  cart.     He  remained 


.jL. 


I  ttlnf  ili.rf^'"''''*- 


)8 

the  fellow  was  a  villain, 
secured  in  Bridewell. — 
WMAN,  and  from  the  sto- 
h  him  it  is  suppoged  h« 
ry  of  mE^fldihhenomena 


Iff^lel 


jer,  18167Tleft  Kings- 
of  proceeding  to  Poit- 
d  to  publish  tiiese  me- 
ige  on  board  the  sloop 
xpcctation  of  being  lan- 
d  coming  out  from  the 
)rge  River,  obliged  her 
k,  where  she  arrived  on 

I  called  on  Mr.  Nehe- 
r  of  Bridewell,  in  that 
le  conduct   of  William 

custody.  He  said  ho 
and  behaved  wdl — that 
to  read,  but  he  said  he 
Id  not  read  or  write  a 
;omplain  of  being  sick, 
im,  but  could  not  tell 
with  him.  He  raised 
at  he  was  helped  up  bj 
ith  him,  who  thought  he 

)m  Bride^tell  to  Ncw- 
lis  trial  for  burglary,  at 
be  held  in  January^— but 
being  sick,  so  that  they 
and  carried  him  to  <ind 
on  a  cart.     He  remained 


109 

in  prison  until  the  lOth  of  January,  and  on  thfl 
13th  the  following  article  appeared  in  the  Con- 
necticut .Toumal  : 

**  BewarULa  ViUaii/i. — One  of  the  mos'-  ac- 
complished vTltains  that  disgraces  our  country 
broke  from  the  gaol  in  this  city  on  Friday  eve- 
ning last,  between  the  hours  of  five  and  six,  and 
succeeded  in  making  his  escape.  This  fellow 
calls  himself  William  J^ewman,  and  was  bound 
over  for  trial  at  the  next  sitting  of  the  Superior 
Cjurl,  on  the  charge  of  burglary,  havingj;obbed 
I'.ie  house  of  Mr.  H.  Butler  of  plate,  money,  &c. 
He  is  supposed  to  be  an  Englishman,  and  is  un- 
doubtedly a  most  profound  adept  in  the  arts  of 
knavery  and  deception.  He  speaks  the  Eng- 
lish and  several  foreign  languages  fluently,  and 
can  play  off  the  air  ola  genteel  Frenchman  with 
the  imposing  gravity.  •  He  is  of  middling  sta- 
ture, slender  and  active,  and  appears  to  pos- 
sess an  astonishing  versatility  of  genius.  He  is 
sick  or  well,  grave  or  gay,  silent  or  loquacious, 
and  can  fence,  box,  fight,  run,  sing,  dance,  play, 
whistle  or  talk,  as  occasion  suits.  He  ailiusenl 
himself  while  in  prison  by  making  and  manag- 
ing a  poppet-show,  which  he  performed  appar- 
ently with  such  scanty  means' as  to  eXcite  the 
wonder  of  the  credulous,  showing  the  piece  of 
an  old  iiorsc  shoe,  whetted  on  the  wall  of  his 
dungeon,  as  the  only  instrument  of  his  mechan- 
ism, and  compIainin>^  only  of  the  scarcity  of 
limber'lo  complete  the  group.  He  had  the  ad- 
dress, by  an  irresistable  flow  of  good  humour 
aad  cheerfulness,  to  make  some  believe  he  was 
K2 


c'iii'T;mrr«iiriiteilllj  in 


JL 


110 

quite  an  innocent  and  harmless,  man,  and  excited 
sympathy  enough  in  those  who  had  the  curiosi- 
ty to   see   him   to  obtain   s«veray^atifications 
which  prisoners  do  noftsually  e^Pf-     ^'^*  •'"" 
deepness  of  his  cunning  was  evinced  in  accom- 
plishing the  means  of  his  escape,   which  he  et- 
tected  by  sawinj;  a  hole  in  his  prison  door,  which 
is  several  inches  inches  thick,  so  neatly  that  the 
block  could  be  taken  out  and  replaced  without 
showing  any  mark  of  violence.     Through  this 
hole  he  could    thrust  his  arm,  and  by  shoving 
back  the  bolts  and  wrenching  off  I  wo  strong  pad- 
locks, found,  at  the  hour  of  supper,   when   the 
person  who  waited  on  the  prisoners  was  giving 
them  their  food,  a  free  passage  to  the  hall  of  the 
county-house,  and  thence  to  the  street.      1  lie 
saw  is  supposed  to  bo  one   vised  on   board   the 
Steam-Boat   Fulton  for  cutting  iron,   which  he 
stole   on   his    transportation    from    Kew-York 
(where  he  was  apprehended)  to  this  place,  and 
so  artfully  did   he  conceal   it  that,  though  re- 
peatedly searched  before  his  confinement,  and 
afterwards,  at  the  suggestion  of  Capt.  Bunker, 
to  discover  this  very  instrument,  he  was  enabled 
to  retain  and  use  it  lor  his  purposes." 

On  his  escape  Newman  adopted  the  same  poli- 
cy he  had  pursued  when  he  escaped  frrom  the 
gaol  of  Kind's  County— He  stopped  a  few  miles 
from  the  city,  in  one  of  the  adjacent  towns,  and 
made  no  haste  to  elude  his  pursuers— and  not 
teing  personally  known,  his  apparent  uncon- 
cern rendered  him  less  liable  to  suspicion. 
At  this  time  Mr.  Butler  happened  to  be  in  N- 


110 

harrales*  man,  and  exciJed 
hose  who  had  the  curiosi- 
taiii  SHvera^ralifications 
It  iisually  eJp'-  Yet  the 
ng  was  evinced  in  accom- 
bis  escape,  which  he  ef- 
le  in  his  prison  door,  which 
es  thick,  so  neatly  that  the 

out  and  replaced  without 
f  violence.     Through  this 

his  arm,  and  by  shoving 
enchingoflftwo  strong  pad- 
hour  of  supper,   when   the 
m  the  prisoners  was  giving 
56  passage  to  the  hall  of  the 
lience  to  the  street.     Tlie 
)c  one   vised  on   board   the 
for  cutting  iron,   which  h& 
ortation    from    Kew-York 
jhended)  to  this  place,  and 
onceal    it  that,  though  re- 
efore  his  confinement,  and 
uggestion  of  Capt.  Bunker, 
instrument,  he  was  enabled 
or  his  purposes." 
vman  adopted  the  same  poli- 
vheo  lie  escaped   frrom  the 
ty — He  stopped  a  few  miles 
e  of  the  adjacent  towns,  and 
lude  his   pursuers — and  not 
nown,  his  apparent  uncon- 
ess  liable  to  suspicion. 
Butler  happened  to  be  in  N. 


Ill 

York,  and  on  bis  return  by  lap'  a  few  miles 
from  the  city,  met  Mr.  ]¥iliiam  j.«amon,  trav. 
elling  leisurely  on  the  road,  who  passed  him 
with  as  inuc^an;^  froid  as  though  he  had  noth- 
ing to  apprt;hcn<i.  Mr,  B.  immediately  imr- 
sued  bim,  but  beseemed  to  mock  bis  exertious 
to  take  him.  Coming  to  where  assistance  could 
be  obtained,  however,  he  took  to  the  woods. 
Mr.  B.  hired  a  party  of  men,  with  dogs  and 
guns,  to  ferret  bim  out,  but  he  eluded  their  vi- 
gilance. 

The  next  day  he  went  into  a  public  house  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  city,  and  observed  that  he 
gave  those  fellows  a  fine  chase  yesterday— On 
being  asked  if  be  was  the  man  that  had  escaped 
from  New-Haven  gaol,  he  said  yes.  He  asked 
for  some  breakfast,  which  was  prepared  for  him. 
In  the  mean  time  he  was  taken  before  a  Jus- 
tice, wh^e  he  gave  such  an  account  of  bimselt 
that  the  Justice  could  not  commit  him — not  hav- 
ing any  evidence  of  the  facts  alledged.  jHe, 
however,  ordered  him  to  be  taken  to  Bridewell, 
where  he  might  be  identified  and  properly  se- 
cured—On his  arrival  there,  Mr.  Allen,  the 
keeper,  happened  to  be  absent,  and  no  one 
could  recognize  him — After  detaining  him  some 
time,  they  were  on  the  point  of  discharging  him, 
when  fortunately  Mr.  Allen  returned,  recogniz- 
ed him,  and  had  him  again  committed.  In  a 
few  days  he  was  returned  to  the  gaol  in  New- 
Haven. 

'  On   bis  arrival  at  the  County-House,  Sheriff 
RgssiTEn  had  him  searched,  to  see  that  he  bad 


1 


112 

MO  iiislniment  with  which  he  could  effect  his  es- 
cape,  niid  then  confined  him  in   the    criminal's 
room,  witli  a  shackle  about  one  of  his  legs,  to 
nhich  was  attached  a  stron;?  iroif^.iin,  firmly 
^^tapll.■d  to  the  floor.     In   this  situation  he  wa-- 
left  at  evening,     in  the  morning  he  had  not  on- 
ly raised  the  staple  which  confined  him*  but  he 
had  raised  the  floor  also,  which  is  of  stoul  plank, 
secured  upon  the    sleepers   jvith  strong  spikes. 
Willi  the  plank  he  had  taken  up  he  l^arncaded 
the  door,  so   timt  no  one   '•ould  enter— made  a 
fire,  and  carrying  the  chain  from   his  foot  upon 
his  shoul.U  r,  walked  the  room,  smoking  his  pipe. 
lieiHE  ordered  to  open  the  door,  he  said  this  was 
his  castle,  and    no  one  should  enter  it  without 
hi^  leave.     SherifT  llossiter  finding  him    deter- 
mined not  to  open  the  door,  and  having  in  vain 
endeavored  to  get  in  by  other  means,  sent  for  a 
mason,  and  ordered  him  to  make  a  ItWe  m  the 
brick  partition  which  divided  the  lower  rooms, 
large  enough  for  him   to  enter,  and  the   mason 
began  the    work,   when  Newman   concluded  to 
open  the  door,    and  tHe  Sherifl^  went  in  and  se- 
cured him.     After  this  he    was  more   closely 
confined,  with  irons  and  chains  ;  when  he  renew- 
ed hi:,  old  scheme  of  yelling  and  screammg  all 
night,  whicft  he  kept  up  until  his  trial,  which  a 
few  days  after  took  place. 

I  have  obtained  no  particulars  oi  bis  trial ; 
but  have  learnt,  generally,  that  he  was  con- 
victed of  burelary,  on  the  evidence  of  having 
entered  a  chamber  in  the  house  of  Mr.  H.  But- 
I'ir,  where  a  young  lady  was  sleeping,  and  stoje 


112 

lich  he  could  cftV-ct  his  es- 
ed  him  in   the    criminal's 
about  one  of  his  legs,  to 
strong  iroHphain,  firmly 
In   this  situation  he  wa'' 
e  morning  he  had  not  on- 
hich  confined  him*  but  he 
io,  which  is  of  stout  plank, 
?pers   >vith  strong  spikes. 
d  taken  up  he  l^arricaded 
ane   '•ould  enter — made  a 
chain  from   his  foot  upon 
le  room,  smoking  his  pipe. 
1  the  door,  he  said  this  was 
ic  should  enter  it  without 
)ssiter  finding  him    deler- 
:  door,  and  having  in  vain 
jy  other  means,  sent  for  a 
lim  to  make  a  IrSle  in  the 
divided  the  lower  rooms, 
to  enter,  and  the   mason 
en  Newman   concluded  to 
He  Sheriff  went  in  and  se- 
lig  he    was  more   closely 
ad  chains  ;  when  he  renew- 
yelling  and  screaming  all 
up  until  his  trial,  which  a 
ilace. 

10  particulars  of  his  trial ; 
•rally ,  that  he  was  con- 
n  the  evidence  of  having 
I  the  house  of  Mr.  H.  But- 
idy  was  sleeping,  and  stoje 


113 

one  of  her  ear-rings  which  l.iy  upon  the  candle- 
stand  by  the  side  of  her  bed  ;  for  which  offence 
he  was  sentencnd  to  be  conlintd  in  Newgate, 
(Simsbury  Mines)  for  three  j  ears. 

In  order  tu%identify  the  person  of  William 
Newman  as  that  of  lienrij  Alore  Smith,  I  came  | 
to  New-Haven,  whcro  I  obtained  these  particu- 
lars resp(!ctihj{  him.  I  had  a  curiosity  to  see 
him,  and  to  know  how  he  conducted  in  New- 
i;ate,  and  proceeded  there  for  that  purpose.  1 
was  treated,  by  Captain  Washburn,  the  keeper, 
with  politeness  and  attention.  I  inquired  the 
conduct  of  IViltiam  JVewman.  Captain  Wash- 
burn said  he  behaved  very  well  ;  that  when  he 
was  brought  here,  he  was  told  he  was  a  bad  fel- 
low, but  he  found  he  had  so  many  worse  ones, 
he  did  not  think  any  tiling  of  Newman.  I  ask- 
ed wii2t  occupation  he  had  given  him  ;  he  said 
ho  was  a  tailor  if  any  thing,  but  he  had  not  been 
put  to  wofk  much,  as  h«  was  subject  to  fits, 
and  unable  to  labour  ;  that  his  fits  were  fright- 
ful ;  that  in  his  distress  he  would  whirl  round 
on  his  head  and  shoulders  like  a  top  ;  that  he 
had  galled  and  bruised  himself  with  1ms  irons, 
aiid  in  his  convulsive  agonies  had  broken  the 
shackJes  on  his  legs,  so  that  they  now  only  put 
n  shackle  on  one  leg.  This  information  was  as 
convincing  to  me  as  sight.  Capt.  Washburn 
brought  him  before  me  in  his  quarters.  On  see- 
ing him,  I  recognized  him  instantly.  I  asked 
him  if  he  had  «^vcr  seen  ine  before — He  did  not 
know  but  he  Bad",  atJVere-Hazcn.  Where  did 
^•ou  come  from  '.—Canada.     What  countryman 


i\ 


\ 


114 

are  you  ?  Ji  Frcnrhman,  bom  in  Francr.  Was 
you  ever  in  Eiiglaiul  ?  Fie  had  been  at  London 
and  Liverpool,  but  never  at  Brighton.  Was 
you  ever  at  Kingston  or  St.  John,  New-Bruns- 
wick ?  He  answered,  A'o,  he  ilic^ot  kmtwaihiire 
thai  uui.1 !  with  a  countenance  as  finn  and  stea- 
dy as  ilit  had  really  been  true.  He  appeared 
i-ather  more  fleshy  than  when  at  Kingston,  hut 
still  the  same  subtle  and  mysteriou?  being.  He 
is  the  tirst  1  believe  that  has  succeeded  to  re- 
lieve hinisell'  from  labour  in  that  prisonj  by  any 
pretence  or  deception.  He  keeps  ffiniself  clean 
and  decent  as  usual,  and  amoni^st  the  wretched 
victims,  (ilty-seven  in  number,  daily  disgorged 
from  the  horrid  pit  in  which  they  are  immured, 
and  put  to  their  daily  labour  in  chains  and  fet- 
ters, William  Newman  appears  like  a  distin- 
guished character. 

I  have  been  impelled  both  by  duty  and  jncli-  • 
nation  to  publish  these  memoirs,  because  the 
facts  are  both  curious  and  astonishing  ;  and  be- 
cause, with  the  knowledge  of  (hem,  I  thought  it 
iny  duty  to  society  toi-xpose  them  to  the  world, 
that  all  ifiiglit  be  better  enabled  to  guard  against 
the  insidiou*  approaches  of  an  artful  and  de- 
signing villain.  If  1  had  felt  competent  to  add 
such  moral  reflections  as  the  subject  would  nat- 
urally inspire  in  a  seriou.s  and  reflecting  mind, 
the  work  would  have  been  rendered  more 
conducive  to  the  propagation  of  good  morals, 
and  far  more  worthy  oi  public  notice — but  con- 
scious of  my  inability,  1  have  been  contented 
with  a  simple  narrative  of  facts,  which  my  repu- 


114 

man,  born  in  France,  Was 
1  ?     Me  had  hcun  at  London 

ncvir  at  Brighton.  Was 
•11  or  St.  John,  New-Bruns- 
).  A'o,  he  dicigiot  knDXi)  where 
)unteiiance  as  firm  and  stea- 
ly  been  true.  He  appeared 
than  when  at  Kingston,  but 
I  and  mysteriou?  l)einj;.  He 
u  that  has  succeeded  to  re- 
ibour  in  that  prisoni  by  any 
on.  He  keeps  nimself  clean 
!,  and  amons^st  the  wretched 

in  number,  daiiy  disgorged 
in  which  they  are  itnmured, 
\y  labour  in  chains  and  fct- 
nan  a|)pears  like   a   distin- 

lled  both  by  duly  and  incli-  • 
liese  memoirs,  because  the 
LIS  and  astonishing  ;  and  be- 
iwledge  of  them,  1  thought  it 
to  expose  them  to  the  world, 
tter  enabled  to  guard  against 
caches  of  an  artful  and  de- 
1  had  felt  competent  to  add 
)ns  as  the  subject  would  nat- 
seriou.s  and  reflecting  mind, 
have  been  rendered  more 
propagation  of  good  morals, 
y  of  public  notice — but  con- 
lity,  1  have  been  contented 
live  of  facts,  which  my  repu- 


113 

lalion  is  pleuged  to  support,  and  which  thnt  re- 
putation is  sulKcicnt  to  sub^-tanliate  wherever  I 
am  known.  To  expose  the  drfiirmilU's  of  vice, 
and  the  coiiscquinres  of  a  vicious  life,  must  |M-o- 
duce  the  strongest  incentives  to  virlcfc — and  it 
would  be  tiie  author's  greatest  pride  to  f«'el  the 
assurance  that  the  publication  of  tlie.-e  memoirs 
should  have  drterred  a  single  intiividual  from 
falling  into  that  unhappy  course  of  life,  whicU 
brough't  the  subject  jl  them  to  shame  and  dis- 
grace, audio  the  verge  of  a  painful  and  igno- 
minious death.  The  following  is  a  description 
of  his  person. 

He  is  about  five  feet  nine  inches  high  ;  bis 
limbs  straight  and  well  proportioned;  appears 
rather  slender,  but  is  large  boned,  close  and  well 
jointed  ;  his  wrists  large,  and  his  fingers  un- 
commonly long  ;  complexion  light,  but  his  skin 
a  little  of  a  sallow  cast ;  his  hair  dark  brown, 
handsomely  grown,  and  curls  naturally  in  front ; 
his  eyes  light  gray,  <iuick,  brilliant  and  pierc- 
ing ;  his  nose  rather  more  prominent  than  ordi- 
nary ;  his  visage  thin  ;  lias  a  scar  on  the  left  side 
of  his  chin,  and  a  small  .scar  on  his  right  cheek, 
near  his  ear  ;  always  neat  in  his  dress,  and  as- 
tonishingly quick  and  active  in  his  motion  ; 
(would  catch  mice  with  his  handcuffs  on;)  lond 
of  smoking  ;  sings  well,  and  whistles  remarka- 
bly, and  can  play  on  almost  any  instrument  of 
music  :  he  is  a  blacksmith,  a  shipwright,  a  tai- 
lor, and  a  fanner  ;  in  fact  any  thing,  for  he  has 
the  strength  of'a  lion,  and  the  subtlety  of  the 
deril. 


ijjiilLj I  111         ■iifiri'-'  ^^^^t^-.-. 


a.^„w. 


""fSL^ 


^ 


t'URTHER  PARTICULARS 

0/  the  conduct  and  character  of  WILLIAM 
NEWMAN,  since  his  confinement  in  JVewgate, 
obtained  from  the  Keeper  of  the  Priaon. 

SINCE  the  confinement  of  William  New- 
man in  Newgate  prison,  C<ipt.  Washburn,  the 
Keeper,  has  made  several  attempts  to  discover 
his  true  character  and  to  draw  from  him  the  his- 
tory of 'lis  early  life,  but  his  exertions  have  not 
succeeded  in  obtaining,  directly,  any  facts  not 
disclosed  in  the  foregoing  narrative.  In  answer- 
ing Capt.  W's.  enquiries,  he  has  always  avoided 
every  thing  that  would  throw  any  light  upon  his 
origin,  except  that  he  was  born  of  respectable 
parents,  at  Brighton,  in  England — that  ho  was 
religiously  educated — declaring  his  innocence 
of  any  crime,  until  he  was  convicted  in  New- 
Haven  of  stealing  an  car-ring,  and  for  which  he 
was  sentenced  to  three  years  confinement  in 
Newgate. — But  he  has  been  more  communica- 
tive to  his  fellow  prisoners,  and  less  guarded  in 
revealing  his  character  and  his  crimes.  He  has 
often  amused  their  solitary  hours  with  the  reci- 
tal of  his  youthful  follies  and  the  rapid  steps 
with  wiiich  he  advanced  to  the  deliberate  crime 
of  murder.  This  last  fact  he  communicated  in 
confidence  to  iiis  bed-fellow — who  is  said  to  be, 
in  turpitude  and  cunning,  but  little  inferior  'c 
Newman  Liai«elf, 


122 

When  Newman  was  first  committed  to  New- 
rate,  he  attempted  to  pursue  the  same  course  of 
deception  that  he  had  before  su  successlully  put 
in    practice.     He   was    at  first    put    to   do  the 
drudgery  of  the  prison,  cutting  and  piling  wood, 
carrying  water,  &c.  but  he  was  desirous  ot  liv- 
in-^  enli'reiv  at  his  ease,  and  in  order  to  procure 
the  induiiienreof  the  Keeper,  lie  feigned  illness, 
and  became  subject  to  fits,  of  a  most  violent  and 
alarmin"  nature,  which,  until  his  character  be- 
came  mo  2  fully  developed,   succeeded  so  far 
as  to  relieve  him  from  the  block,  and  the  appli- 
cation  to   any  sedentary   or   regular  employ- 
ment. 

After   the   publication  of  the    foregoing  me- 
moirs  no  duulit  remaiiiinijofthe  identity  of  his 
person,  it  was  suspected  that  he  was   imposing 
on  the  credulity  ot  his  keepers  and  means  were 
adopted    to  detect  him.     S-veral    experiments 
were  tried  diiriii';   the  period   of  his  attacks  to 
brinT  him  to  his  senses;  but  with  a  determina- 
tion^so  resolute,    and  an  effect  so  imposing  did 
lie  carry  on  his  jdan,  that  it  was  hard  to  believe 
human  nature  capable  of  such  agonizing  mock- 
ery       The    evidence    of   his    former    conduct 
spoke  strongly  against  him,  biit  the  evidence  ol 
his  own  sufferings  almost  spoke  conviction. 

His  fits  were  of  that  kind  denominated  falling 
sickness,  and  in  addition  to  convulsions,  frolh- 
in.ratthe  mouth,  &c.  he  raised  blood  and  com- 
plained of  soreness  in  his  lungs  and  a  weak 
stomach— his  pale  and  sallow  countenance  ad- 
ded to   these  symptoms  of  discare,    an   almost 


'•-mrjr  -.-^  *j'«'„Tt'i!?srr"r 


^"'^ii 


>2 

irst  committed  to  New- 
irsue  the  same  course  of 
efoie  so  siiccessluUy  put 
at  first   put   to   do  the 
cutting  and  piling  wood, 
t  he  was  desirous  of  liv- 
,  and  in  order  to  procure 
Gcpor.  he  feigned  illness, 
its,  of  a  most  violent  and 
,  until  hi;-!  character  be- 
loped,   succeeded  so  far 
the  block,  and  the  appli- 
iry   or   regular  employ- 
ion  of  the   foregoing  mc- 
lingofthe  identity  of  his 
cd  that  he  was    imposing 
keepers,  and  means  were 
n.     t^evcral    experiments 
period   of  his  attacks  to 
5 ;  but  with  a  determina- 
an  effect  so  imposing  did 
that  it  was  hard  to  beiipvt: 
I  of  such  agonizing  mock- 
of   his    former    conduct 
t  him,  but  the  evidence  of 
lost  spoke  conviction. 
[  kind  denominated  falling 
ion  to  convulsions,    froth- 
he  raised  blood  and  com- 
in   his    lungs   and  a  weak 
id  sallow  countenance  ad- 
)ms  of  discafc,    an   almost 


123 

irresistible  evidence  of  its  reality.  After  he 
Lad  carried  on  the  farce  for  sonic  lime,  he  dis- 
closed the  deception  to  one  of  the  prisoners, 
who  was  •  mployed  by  the  Keeper  to  endeavor 
to  draw  from  him  such  facts  as  might  lead  to  his 
detection  in  case  he  designed  to  escape,  who, 
being  furnished  with  ink  and  paper,  communi- 
cated to  Capt.  Washburn,  the  substance  of  his 
communications  with  Nevvman. 

The   facts  communicated  through  this  sourcft 
are  briefly   as  follows  : — That  Newman  is  an 
Englishman  ;  born  in  Biighton,  whore  his  par- 
ents reside  ;  bis  name  he  has   never  disclosed  ; 
his  parents   gave    him   a    good    education,    and 
brought  bini  up  in  a  style  of  life  which,    whca 
be  came  to  maturer  years,  he  found  himself  un- 
able to  support.     He  was  fond  of  sports  and  a- 
niusements,    and  passed  all  the  rounds  of  dissi- 
pation  and    pleasure,    till  his  resources    failed 
ban,  when,  in  concert  with  some  of  his  gay  coni- 
pani'   IS,  he  began   to  resort  to  unlawful  means 
to  rei  Senish  his^dissipaled  store.     He  had  com- 
miticd  several  robberies,  undetected,    and  had 
ceased  to  experience  those  "  compunctious  vis- 
itings"  which  the  young  offender  cannot  avoid, 
when  an    opportunity   for   plunder  offered,    so 
tempting  to    his  cupidity   that   the  enormity  of 
the  offence  presented  no  barrier  to  its  commis- 
sion.    A  gentleman  of  property,  in  the  vicinity 
of  Brighton,  had  gone  on  business  to  Loudon  ; 
leaving  only  a  young  lady   as  housekeeper  un- 
til his  return.     Newman,   and   two  of  his  com- 
panions, resolved  to  plunder    the  house  ;  bciiij 


. 


124 


inmntes  of  the  family,  they  conlrivetl  to  admin- 
ister laudanum  to  the  lady,  in  the  course  of  an 
evening's  entertainment,  whicli  throwing  her 
into  a  profound  apalliy,  they  plundered  the 
liouse  of  money  and  plate  to  the  amount  of 
twenty  two  hundred  pounds,  and  departed. 
The  young  lady  was  afterwards  found  dead, 
and  a  reward  of  one  thousand  pounds  sterling 
was  offered  for  the  detection  of  the  perpetrators 
of  this  nefarious  deed.  His  two  companions 
fled,  and  fearful  himself  that  some  clue  might  be 
found  to  lead  to  his  discovery  and  bring  him  to 
justice,  he  left  England  for  America  and  arrived 
at  Halifax.  The  history  of  his  progress  in  this 
country,  up  to  his  confinement  in  Newgate  it 
given  in  the  narrative  of  Mr,  Bates.  The  com- 
munications of  Newman  to  his  fellow  prisoners, 
(none  of  whom  have  bacn  permitted  to  see 
these  memoirs,)  fully  confirm  every  thing  that 
Las  been  stated — He  has  personally  related  the 
same  facts,  and  boasted  of  the  means  by  which 
he  accomplished  his  deceptions. 

In  one  of  the  communications  of  his  fellow 
prif^oner,  after  stating  the  nature  of  his  first  at- 
tempts in  falling  sickness,  the  writer  says : — 
•'  In  addition  to  the  former  he  succeeded  in  his 
last  tumbling  match.  He  thinks  two  more  grand 
tragedies  will  seal  the  deception.  The  first  is 
to  take  place  when  the  Dostor  is  here,  and  he 
wishes  me  to  give  him  notice  when  he  comes 
into  the  gate,  that  he  may  take  the  opportunity 
without  any  apparent  knowledge  of  his  pres- 
ence.    If  he  succeeds  in  deceiving  the  Doctor, 


124 

',  they  conlrivetl  to  admiii- 
•  lady,  in  the  course  of  an 
lent,  whicli  throwing  her 
illiy,  they  plundered  the 
d  plate  to  the  amount  of 
il  pounds,  and  dfiparted. 
is  afterwards  found  dead, 
a  thousand  pounds  sterling 
Btection  of  the  perpetrators 
ed.  His  two  companioBs 
>clf  that  some  clue  might  be 
discovery  and  bring  him  to 
nd  for  America  and  arrived 
itory  of  his  progress  in  tfiis 
confinement  in  Newgate  it 
e  of  Mr,  Bates.  The  com- 
nan  to  his  fellow  prisoners, 
e  bftcn  permitted  to  see 
y   confirm  every  thing  that 

has  personally  related  the 
ited  of  the  means  by  which 

deceptions. 

nmunications  of  his  fellow 
g  the  nature  of  his  first  at- 
ikness,  the  writer  says  : — 
former  he  succeeded  in  his 
He  thinks  two  more  grand 
the  deception.  The  first  is 
the  Dostor  is  here,  and  he 
)im  notice  when  he  comes 
e  may  take  the  opportunity 
int  knowledge  of  his  pres- 
ds  in  deceiving  the  Doctor, 


125 

the  nfcxf  exhilntion  i.-i  to  take  pijcc  in  liie  Cha 
pel  on  the  Sabb.ilh,  that  he  may  have  the  audi- 
ence  of  the  town*  to  witness  his  experiments  in 
the  ju^-iiii5  art,  in  expectation  that  they  will 
commisserate  his  unfortunate  situation,  and  he 
thinks  by  that  time  he  will  be  (juile  relieved 
from  being  put  to  the  blink,  which  is  his  aim 
and  full  determination  at  present.  He  declares 
if  he  is  put  to  a  block  he  will  heave  his  ham- 
mer fn  a  fit  and  kilt  some  one,  if  he  cannot  shun 
it  in  any  other  way.  He  -ays  he  did  not  think 
ot  having  fits  until  alter  he  came  here — that 
Horton  (one  of  the  prisoners)  suggested  it  to 
him,  and  said  that  he  had  succeeded  in  reliev- 
ing himself  from  labour  by  that  means. 

"  He  has  found  an  entire  lu.w  way  of  raising 
blood,  which  is  by  pounding  brick  to  a  powder^, 
putting  it  in  a  small  rag,  and  chewing  it  in  his 
mouth — Sometimes  he  pricks  his  gums,  or 
sucks  the  blood  from  his  teeth.  He  contrives 
to  vary  his  pulse'  by  pounding  |iis  elbows,  and 
other  means  of  violence,  and  thus  Micceeds  in 
deceiving  a  physician.  He  tells  me  he  cart 
take  the  flesh  off  himself  in  ten  days,  and  has 
experimental  knowledge  of  the  mc;.ns~It  is  by 
sucking  a  copper  cent  in  his  mouth  all  night, 
and  swallowing  the  saliva,  which  destroys  "^fhu 
juices  of  the  body,  and  produces  premature  de- 
cay.   He  is  still  apprehensive  that  be  shall  have  lu 

*  Divine  service  is  performed   cn-ry  Sal.liulli  .it  the 
prison,  in  a  room  in   ttio  sjuard  house,  neatly  fitted  up 
■«vhcre  the  inbubitants  of  the  vicinity  ii. ually  ullcud 


<; 


j^ 


T 


126 

answer  for  the  crime  of  murder — the  reward  of 
a  thousand  pounds  (lie  says)  stands  good  against 
him  now  if  he  should  be  taken  on  that  ground 
after  his  discharge  from  prison,  and  he  is  calcu- 
lating to  be  crazy  during  the  last  six  months  of 
his  conhnqraent,  to  avoid  justice.  He  says  if  he 
is  taken  back  to  England  he  is  sure  to  be  hang- 

•'!•"  .       .■ 

According  to  the  information  given   in    tins 

communication,   when   the    Doctor  visited    the 
prison  again  Newman  fell  in  a  violent  fit.     Capt. 
Washburn  ordered  a  pail  of  water  to  be  brought, 
and  with  a  pitcher  he  poured  a  small  and  con- 
tinued stream  of  water  upon  his  nostrils,  which 
prevented  respiration,  and  obliged  him  to  turn 
his  head  to  procure  breath,  which  he  would  not 
have  done  had  the  fits  been  real.  The  discovery, 
however,  was  not  made  known  to  Newman,  and 
he  continued  to  flatter  himself  that  he   was  on 
"  the   full  tide  of  successful  experiment."     A 
suitable    opportunity   soon    offered    to  exhibit 
himself  in  the  chapel,   and  accordingly  just  as 
the  blessing  was  pronouncing  by  the  officiating 
clergyman  at  the  conclusion  of  the  service,  he 
fell  into  a  fit.     The  sergeant  of  the  guard,  who 
was  prepared  for  the  event,  ins.tantly  stepped 
upon  his  breast,  and  ordered  others   to  confine 
his   legs  and   arms,    by   stepping  upon  them, 
which   placed   the    unhappy    patient  in  a  most 
unpleasant  predicament — and  not  liking  the  pre- 
scription,   he  was   soon   restored  to  h-s  senses, 
without  producing  any  other  effect  than  fright- 
.  ening  the   audience,-  and  hastening  them  away 


126 

f  murder — the  reward  of 
says)  stands  good  against 
be  taken  on  that  ground 
n  prison,  and  he  is  calcu- 
ng  the  last  six  months  of 
lid  justice.  He  says  if  he 
ind  he  is  sure  to  be  hang- 

iformation  given  in  this 
I  the  Doctor  visited  the 
fell  in  a  violent  fit.  Capt. 
ail  of  water  to  be  brought, 

poured  a  small  and  con- 
r  upon  his  nostrils,  which 
,  and  obliged  him  to  turn 
reath,  which  he  would  not 
been  real.  The  discovery, 
Ic  known  to  Newman,  and 
er  himself  that  he  was  on 
iccessful  experiment."     A 

soon  offered  to  exhibit 
I,  and  accordingly  just  as 
nouncing  hy  the  officiating 
Delusion  of  the  service,  he 
sergeant  of  the  guard,  who 
!  event,  insjantly  stepped 
ordered  others  to  confine 

by  stepping  upon  them, 
mhappy  patient  in  a  most 
ent — and  not  liking  the  pre- 
oon  restored  to  his  senses, 
ny  other  effect  than  fright- 
,-  and  hastening  them  away 


127 

with  a  little  more  precipitancy  than  th^y  would 
otherwise  have  gone. 

After  these  circumstances  had  transpired, 
Newman  was  put  into  the  workshop  and  confin- 
ed to  the  block  in  common  with  the  other  pris- 
oners, '.there  he  has  continued  ever  since,  con- 
duct 'ig  himself  well  towards  those  whose  duty 
it  has  been  to  watch  him.  He  continues,  how- 
ever, to  have  fits  occasionally,  but  always  pays 
dear  for  his  temerity.  He  has  never  made  any 
attempt  to  escape,  and  it  is  believed  he  has  giv- 
en up  any  project  of  that  kind,  though  he  de- 
clared on  being  committed,  that  he  would  not 
remain  there  three  months. 

Capt.  Washburn,  in  reply  to  a  letter  address- 
ed by  the  publishers  to  him,  after  touching  the 
foregoing  particulars,  observes :  "  'liipre  can- 
not exist  a  doubt  that  he  is  the  man  of  whom 
Mr.  Hates,  the  Sheriff  of  King's  County,  has 
written — Th^e  arc  many  circumstances  which 
tend  to  corroWrate  his  narrative.  He  acknowl- 
edges that  he  was  in  Canada.  He  has  likewise 
made  many  puppets  since  he  came  to  tliis  place, 
niifch  like  thoso  described  hy  Mr.  liates — In 
short,  the  title  he  has  given  him,  viz  ;  the  Mys- 
terious Stranger,  could  hardly  be  so  well  suited 
to  another.  Should  any  thing  hereafter  come 
to  my  knowledge  respecting  him,  worth  the  at- 
tention of  the  public,  I  will,  with  pleasure,  give 
you  the  earliest  information. 

J  am,  respectfully,  yours,  &c. 

CHAKLES  VVASHDURN, 

Prison  Keei'r.^^ 


* 


JJ 


